Silent Knight (1929): The Original Willys-Knight Silent Film Advertisement Restored
- Nov 10, 2025
- 2 min read
If you are fascinated by automotive history and the evolution of engine design, the 1929 promotional film Silent Knight: The Triumph of Silence Over Noise is a remarkable artifact. Produced by Willys-Overland, Inc., it was created to promote the innovative sleeve valve engine system developed by Charles Yale Knight. This design promised quieter, smoother, and more refined performance at a time when noise and vibration were accepted parts of motoring.
The Story Behind Silent Knight: The Triumph of Silence Over Noise
In the 1920s, car engines were loud, clattering machines that rattled drivers and passengers alike. But by 1929, Willys-Overland had something revolutionary to offer, the Willys-Knight sleeve-valve engine, designed by Charles Yale Knight. Unlike the traditional poppet-valve engines of the time, which produced constant noise and wear, the sleeve-valve design operated through smooth, sliding sleeves that eliminated metal-on-metal clatter.
To educate and captivate customers, Willys-Overland released Silent Knight: The Triumph of Silence Over Noise. Produced by Wilding Picture Productions of Detroit, the short film used illustrated slides, poetic narration, and technical animation to contrast the harsh noise of early engines with the refined silence of the new Willys-Knight.
It begins by tracing humanity’s fascination with sound, from the puffing of steam locomotives to the roar of early automobiles, before declaring that “noise has had its day.” The film then introduces the sleeve-valve engine as the next evolution of modern engineering, promising power, simplicity, and silent performance.
See the Real Willys-Knight and Other Sleeve-Valve Cars in Person
The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum also features several extraordinary examples of vehicles equipped with the Knight sleeve-valve engine. Visitors can see these historic cars up close and appreciate the engineering that made “the silent engine” famous:
An American luxury automobile that became the first U.S. manufacturer to license the groundbreaking Silent Knight sleeve valve engine design.
A French luxury car powered by a Knight-type sleeve valve engine. This beautifully engineered vehicle demonstrates how the technology spread across Europe and influenced some of the most refined automobiles of its time.
Built by Willys-Overland, this car represents the direct continuation of the technology featured in the 1929 film. Its six-cylinder sleeve valve engine exemplifies the quiet power and efficiency that made the Willys-Knight famous.
Visit the Museum
The Tampa Bay Automobile Museum continues to preserve and interpret the technologies that shaped automotive history. Plan your visit to explore the collection and see these pioneering sleeve-valve cars up close.
Learn more at tbauto.org