If you love high-powered fast engines, then it might interest you to know about the history of the V8 engine. This engine known as vee-eight traces its humble beginnings when the “L-Head” flat head vee-eight was created in 1932. Henry Ford used this engine in his models, making it available to the public. The model was very simple, utilizing a “flathead engine” with uncomplicated overhead valves. Henry Ford, as we all know, is the maker of the Ford vehicles that are widely used in the U.S. and even in various countries across the globe.
There are claims that the longest enduring V8 engine is owned by the British companies, makers of the Bentleys and Rolls-Royce. The Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, with a 6.2 litre with OHV and a V angle at 90 degrees, was first made public in 1959. The British car was based on an American design. In due time, it was expanded to its present size of 6.75 litres and are still being produced in Bentleys as of this writing. This is by far the oldest and most durable engine we have today.
It was Duesenberg, however, in the 1920’s that first manufactured the 8 cylinder car engine. The company eventually mass-produced the engine complete with complex overhead cams and numerous valves. However, the company was not able to thrive in the car-making business unlike its competitors.
Technological advancement developed the engine into its present state, the 8 cylinder engine in a V format, thus V8, which was fittingly named. This V8 pattern is now widely used in the automotive industry along with other innovations to transform our ideas of transport and cars radically. Given the necessary resources and perhaps funding, assuredly our imagination can think of many ways to improve the automotive industry.
Cars are not just for necessary transport but also as a recreational tool. They are valuable and necessary elements to our lives. Innovations like turbocharging, direct injection, multi-variable valve technology as well as massaging of the engine ancillaries are a few of the modern ways we manage our cars. The amazing Ferrari uses this technology so do the humble Falcon or Commodore. These advancements will make better and safer cars that we can use for whatever purposes. A V8 engine well provides its drivers with better brakes and safer maneuvering or handling.
If you would like to know more about the history of V8, you may check the January 2010 issue of Wheels.
