What Cars Had Straight 8 Engines?
Introduction
The straight-8 engine is a type of internal combustion engine with eight cylinders arranged in a straight line, with four cylinders on each side of the crankshaft. This engine design was popular in the early 20th century, but was eventually replaced by the V8 engine, which is more compact and lighter.
American Cars with Straight 8 Engines
Many American car manufacturers produced vehicles with straight 8 engines, including:
- Auburn
- Buick
- Cadillac
- Chrysler
- Cord
- Duesenberg
- Ford
- Graham
- Hudson
- Hupmobile
- Kaiser
- Lincoln
- Mercury
- Nash
- Oldsmobile
- Packard
- Pierce-Arrow
- Reo
- Studebaker
- Willys
European Cars with Straight 8 Engines
Some European car manufacturers also produced vehicles with straight 8 engines, including:
- BMW
- Horch
- Isotta Fraschini
- Lancia
- Mercedes-Benz
- Rolls-Royce
Advantages of Straight 8 Engines
Straight 8 engines offer several advantages over other engine designs, including:
- Smooth operation: Straight 8 engines have a natural balance that results in smooth operation, with minimal vibration.
- High power output: Straight 8 engines can produce a lot of power, making them ideal for use in high-performance vehicles.
- Reliability: Straight 8 engines are known for their reliability, and can often last for many years with proper maintenance.
Disadvantages of Straight 8 Engines
Straight 8 engines also have some disadvantages, including:
- Size and weight: Straight 8 engines are larger and heavier than other engine designs, which can make them difficult to fit into smaller vehicles.
- Fuel economy: Straight 8 engines are not as fuel-efficient as other engine designs, due to their larger size and higher power output.
- Cost: Straight 8 engines are more expensive to produce than other engine designs, which can make them less affordable for some consumers.
Conclusion
The straight-8 engine was a popular choice for many car manufacturers in the early 20th century. This engine design offers several advantages, including smooth operation, high power output, and reliability. However, straight 8 engines are also large, heavy, and expensive, which led to their eventual replacement by the V8 engine.
