alsancle Posted March 11, 2020 Author Share Posted March 11, 2020 The plaid side that the engine belonged too. Also courtesy of Al. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted April 25, 2020 Share Posted April 25, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted April 25, 2020 Share Posted April 25, 2020 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted April 25, 2020 Share Posted April 25, 2020 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted April 26, 2020 Share Posted April 26, 2020 1929 Canada National Motor Show 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted May 22, 2020 Share Posted May 22, 2020 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted May 22, 2020 Share Posted May 22, 2020 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted June 1, 2020 Share Posted June 1, 2020 Grace Moore 30th January 1930: American operatic singer who occasionally appeared in films, Grace Moore (1898-1947). She was played by Kathryn Grayson in a 1953 biopic 'So This is Love' and was nick-named 'The Tennessee Nightingale'. (Photo via John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcrow Posted June 2, 2020 Share Posted June 2, 2020 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted June 22, 2020 Share Posted June 22, 2020 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted July 2, 2020 Share Posted July 2, 2020 See this topic for one for sale recently: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 A Willys-Knight 66B cabriolet by Dansk Karosseri-Fabrik, with a lengthened over-the-cowl hood. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted July 13, 2020 Author Share Posted July 13, 2020 39 minutes ago, 58L-Y8 said: A Willys-Knight 66B cabriolet by Dansk Karosseri-Fabrik, with a lengthened over-the-cowl hood. Would we agree that would be the world's best Willys Knight if it still existed? I think I would take the one off custom body over the plaid side cars. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted July 13, 2020 Share Posted July 13, 2020 7 minutes ago, alsancle said: Would we agree that would be the world's best Willys Knight if it still existed? I think I would take the one off custom body over the plaid side cars. A.J. Not only the best Willys-Knight 66B, maybe the only 66B ever custom coach-built. I'd love to see more images of this rarity! This is the best I can get it. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 The Dragone brothers plaidside is up for auction. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1930-Willys-Knight-Model-66B-/164300594683 In 1913, Willys-Overland was the second best selling car in the United States behind Ford. In the same year, John North Willys went on a trip to Europe where he met Charles Knight and discovered his newly designed sleeve valve engine. Willys was no engineer, but he was a great salesman. Seeing the novelty and uniqueness of the sleeve valve design he knew that it gave great marketing and sales possibilities even though it burned more oil than a traditional poppet valve engine. In 1914, the Willys-Knight was born and they produced more Knight sleeve valved engines than all other manufactures in the world combined at the time. Later on in the 1920's, the Willys-Knight was known as a middle range motorcar in the market, but that didn't stop Willys from making an upscale model. So in 1929, the Plaidside Roadster was introduced at the New York auto show and styled by automotive designer Amos Northup who was more well known for designing the Reo Royale. Northup gave the Plaidside its distinctive plaid design on its sides, so it was dubbed the "Plaidside." At the 1929 New York auto show it was voted as the best looking car of the year. Only 14 Plaidsides exist today according to the Willys Knight registry. Offered here is a great barn find; an unrestored 1930 Willys-Knight Model 66B Plaidside Roadster. It's one of the original 14 Plaidside roadsters known to exist today and most likely the last Plaidside in unrestored condition. It is mostly complete including the original headlights which are in good condition, original radiator mascot, both front and rear bumpers and complete top assembly. The car being removed from the barn is also documented with a video (link below). This car was owned by the family for over 60 years! It may also be a pretty neat thing to put on display just as it is in "barn find" condition or would make a great car restored. Contact us today for more information. See the video here: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
F&J Posted July 21, 2020 Share Posted July 21, 2020 25 minutes ago, alsancle said: The Dragone brothers plaidside is up for auction The son says dad got it in 54, but there is no way it was that far gone in 24 years from new. So it must have sat outside for decades, by a guy who was a "collector" of vintage cars?. What a shame. What $ were they asking at Hershey for it? I am surprised that 14 still survive, especially with an engine design that would scare away many collectors back in the 50s? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 3 hours ago, F&J said: The son says dad got it in 54, but there is no way it was that far gone in 24 years from new. So it must have sat outside for decades, by a guy who was a "collector" of vintage cars?. What a shame. What $ were they asking at Hershey for it? I am surprised that 14 still survive, especially with an engine design that would scare away many collectors back in the 50s? They have it for 36,500 on their website. https://dragoneclassic.com/currentofferings/1930-willys-knight-model-66b/ 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 14 hours ago, alsancle said: They have it for 36,500 on their website. https://dragoneclassic.com/currentofferings/1930-willys-knight-model-66b/ Current eBay bid was 4K............ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 10 minutes ago, edinmass said: Current eBay bid was 4K............ I'll be outbid soon. Hopefully. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 (edited) Here's something to ponder, compare the length of the fender sweep of the Dansk-bodied convertible victoria with the 66B Plaid-side and the 66A recently for sale. The Dansk car not only has the same fender sweep as the 66A but looks as if it might have been a 126" wheelbase rather than the 66B 120" wheelbase. If the Dansk was built on a 66B, why would they go to the trouble to change the wire wheels too? Pure conjecture, but I'll opine Dansk received a 66A 126" wheelbase chassis updated with 66B radiator shell and headlights to keep it current. Edited July 23, 2020 by 58L-Y8 Added W-K 66A images from the WOKR website for comparison (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 58 minutes ago, 58L-Y8 said: Here's something to ponder, compare the length of the fender sweep of the Dansk-bodied convertible victoria with the 66B Plaid-side and the 66A recently for sale. The Dansk car not only has the same fender sweep as the 66A but looks as if it might have been a 126" wheelbase rather than the 66B 120" wheelbase. If the Dansk was built on a 66B, why would they go to the trouble to change the wire wheels too? Pure conjecture, but I'll opine Dansk received a 66A 126" wheelbase chassis updated with 66B radiator shell and headlights to keep it current. I assume just the norm of personal preference in custom built cars. My guess is a totally custom made fender and the Buffalo style wheels really are easier to mount and dismount. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted July 22, 2020 Share Posted July 22, 2020 19 hours ago, alsancle said: The Dragone brothers plaidside is up for auction. https://www.ebay.com/itm/1930-Willys-Knight-Model-66B-/164300594683 In 1913, Willys-Overland was the second best selling car in the United States behind Ford. In the same year, John North Willys went on a trip to Europe where he met Charles Knight and discovered his newly designed sleeve valve engine. Willys was no engineer, but he was a great salesman. Seeing the novelty and uniqueness of the sleeve valve design he knew that it gave great marketing and sales possibilities even though it burned more oil than a traditional poppet valve engine. In 1914, the Willys-Knight was born and they produced more Knight sleeve valved engines than all other manufactures in the world combined at the time. Later on in the 1920's, the Willys-Knight was known as a middle range motorcar in the market, but that didn't stop Willys from making an upscale model. So in 1929, the Plaidside Roadster was introduced at the New York auto show and styled by automotive designer Amos Northup who was more well known for designing the Reo Royale. Northup gave the Plaidside its distinctive plaid design on its sides, so it was dubbed the "Plaidside." At the 1929 New York auto show it was voted as the best looking car of the year. Only 14 Plaidsides exist today according to the Willys Knight registry. Offered here is a great barn find; an unrestored 1930 Willys-Knight Model 66B Plaidside Roadster. It's one of the original 14 Plaidside roadsters known to exist today and most likely the last Plaidside in unrestored condition. It is mostly complete including the original headlights which are in good condition, original radiator mascot, both front and rear bumpers and complete top assembly. The car being removed from the barn is also documented with a video (link below). This car was owned by the family for over 60 years! It may also be a pretty neat thing to put on display just as it is in "barn find" condition or would make a great car restored. Contact us today for more information. See the video here: It probably is fine at that price post some haggling, but realistically I probably would have found the needed parts or a parts car and bundled the pieces or two together (my guess is higher priced obscure cars scare the hell out of more people than not - the really handy fabricators perhaps do not want a project at this price and the unhandy ones know the restoration shop bills will be ....). Perhaps the definition of between a rock and a hard place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 1 hour ago, John_Mereness said: It probably is fine at that price post some haggling, but realistically I probably would have found the needed parts or a parts car and bundled the pieces or two together (my guess is higher priced obscure cars scare the hell out of more people than not - the really handy fabricators perhaps do not want a project at this price and the unhandy ones know the restoration shop bills will be ....). Perhaps the definition of between a rock and a hard place. It feels like it would have been a crime, but that 66B Coupe that was for sale on Hemmings last winter for 23k would have shared 95% of the parts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 22 hours ago, alsancle said: I'll be outbid soon. Hopefully. If you think it's hard getting me to work on your Stearns ............your gonna pass out when I give you my hourly rate working on that thing............even at the "going rate to polish a turd" I hope you get outbid! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted July 23, 2020 Author Share Posted July 23, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, edinmass said: If you think it's hard getting me to work on your Stearns ............your gonna pass out when I give you my hourly rate working on that thing............even at the "going rate to polish a turd" I hope you get outbid! Are you trying to tell me "sport bidding" is a bad idea if you actually win? If I did that car would be garage art. I think it is awesomely cool, but I also think 100k or so spent on a running one is a much better idea. Edited July 23, 2020 by alsancle (see edit history) 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted July 23, 2020 Share Posted July 23, 2020 21 hours ago, alsancle said: It feels like it would have been a crime, but that 66B Coupe that was for sale on Hemmings last winter for 23k would have shared 95% of the parts. That would be a shame for this Coupe to bite the dust, but that is also what it may come down to. If you get something that looks like a parts car as a parts car for the plaidside that is close to a parts car, then you will still be short the quality parts you need to turn out an exceptional end product. For Example: is a Packard 12 sedan bumming around on ebay and it is what is needed to get a few pieces of rare diecast, a great steering wheel, great instruments, and ... for a convertible - AND IT IS REALLY NOT THAT BAD OF A CAR IT JUST HAS ALL THE WRONG ECONOMICS ASSOCIATED WITH IT, but anything even slightly worse and it would be a serious waste of .... Basically, you will need a pretty nice car to get a finished product to be even remotely cost effective. eBay item number: 274420205993 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share Posted August 25, 2020 On 7/21/2020 at 7:36 PM, alsancle said: They have it for 36,500 on their website. https://dragoneclassic.com/currentofferings/1930-willys-knight-model-66b/ And now marked sold. Maybe eBay did the trick? Would be interesting to hear from the new owner and their plans for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 5 minutes ago, alsancle said: And now marked sold. Maybe eBay did the trick? Would be interesting to hear from the new owner and their plans for it. Street rod bait at that number.......but you never know. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted August 25, 2020 Author Share Posted August 25, 2020 23 minutes ago, edinmass said: Street rod bait at that number.......but you never know. That would be a crime against humanity. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted August 25, 2020 Share Posted August 25, 2020 (edited) 11 minutes ago, alsancle said: That would be a crime against humanity. Nothing new about that.......and any cool open car under 40k is subject to being street rodded. Like the 1929 Stearns Knight thst was chopped recently.......and zi have found the running gear. That, is another story. 😝 Edited August 25, 2020 by edinmass (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share Posted September 19, 2020 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted September 19, 2020 Author Share Posted September 19, 2020 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Mereness Posted February 27, 2021 Share Posted February 27, 2021 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark66A Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 (edited) Just a couple of comments regarding discussions on the WK cars. First, the engines are simple and easy to work on. Many parts ARE available thru the club. The engines are strong and durable. I have driven my stock 66A coast to coast three times on the Great Race, as well as on many club tours and to events in Nashville and eastern Ohio. Don't let a "different" design cloud your opinion of this car. Many were driven well over 100,000 miles in a day when that number was "unreachable". Second, buffalo wire wheels were an option on the 66A cars and are listed in the parts book. Wood was standard. Varsity Roadsters used wires as standard- but not buffalo wire wheels. An interesting note on the 66A styling. Headlights, cowl lights and tail lights were shaped like a shield to accompany the Knight mascot. It won one of the very first styling awards for an automobile. Cars built at the very end of the series. used a different cowl light due to exhausting the normal cowl light parts bin. The 1928 66A chassis and drive train was used by Stearns for their M and N model cars in 1929. Edited March 2, 2021 by Mark66A (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edinmass Posted March 2, 2021 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Stearns Knight and all Knight cars are just another platform. Too many people are afraid of them. So far, I have enjoyed spinning wrenches on them. Nothing particularly challenging. AJ.......send more money! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alsancle Posted March 2, 2021 Author Share Posted March 2, 2021 Mark, Is it true that this is the car that became Al's green plaidside? https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/sj14/motor-city/lots/r114-1930-willys-knight-66b-plaidside-roadster-by-griswold/181085 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
58L-Y8 Posted March 3, 2021 Share Posted March 3, 2021 Mark 66A "The 1928 66A chassis and drive train was used by Stearns for their M and N model cars in 1929." Thanks for confirming my hunch about how those cars came about. It appears to have been "too little, too late" to save Stearns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wk66B Posted November 12, 2022 Share Posted November 12, 2022 On 3/2/2021 at 6:15 PM, alsancle said: Mark, Is it true that this is the car that became Al's green plaidside? https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/sj14/motor-city/lots/r114-1930-willys-knight-66b-plaidside-roadster-by-griswold/181085 This car was restored by Al and is green and black. I believe it now resides in Canada. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wk66B Posted November 12, 2022 Share Posted November 12, 2022 On 11/20/2019 at 9:39 AM, alsancle said: Where is this car now? Is it being restored? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wk66B Posted November 12, 2022 Share Posted November 12, 2022 Does anyone know who owns this car now? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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