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The Ford Flathead V8, the engine that made hot rodders’ hearts race faster than their cars, rolled out between 1932 and 1953. It became the go-to powerplant for speed enthusiasts, despite its quirks. Known for its simplicity and affordability, this iron beast could be tuned to reach 300 mph. While overheating and narrow exhausts were its Achilles’ heels, backyard mechanics loved it. With clever tinkering, even a crankshaft from the Mercury Division could turn these engines into speed demons!
In 1953, Ford celebrated its 50th anniversary with a bang—or rather, a vroom. William Clay Ford, Henry’s grandson, took the wheel as the Indy 500 pace driver, cruising in style in a Sunliner convertible. Ford’s trusty flathead V8 was still the engine of choice, now with power brakes and steering as options. And if you opted for a radio, your dealer would pre-program it with the hottest stations, ensuring your drives were as lively as the engine under the hood. Talk about a ‘tuned’ experience!