Fordnever had a car officially called "V8", but for simplicity many peoplereferred the V8-powered Model 18 and Model 40 from 1932-34 as "FordV8". It was the world's first mass production V8 car.
V8 engines had been available in expensive luxury cars or sports carslong ago, but until the 1932 Ford V8 no one else had put them on massproduction affordable cars. In 1929, Chevrolet introduced a straight-6engine into its mass production cars, which was clearly superior to thecontemporary 4-cylinder Ford Model A no matter in power or smoothness.In response, Henry Ford commissioned the development of a V8 engine toput into his next generation mainstream car. It would be his last greatachievement in his career.
Toreduce production cost, Ford developed a single cylinder block for theV8, unlike other contemporary V8s which used multiple blocks joinedtogether in human intensive ways. The theory was similar to itsmono-block 4-cylinder engine, just in a larger scale and had toovercome more technical difficulties in the casting. This 3.6-liter(221 cubic inches) side-valve 90-degree V8 became the world's earliestmass production V8, with approximately 1 million units built from 1932to '34. It produced 65 horsepower initially, then increased to 75hp in1933 and 85hp in 1934.Originally, Henry Ford wanted to equip all its next generation car withthe V8. However, as a safe measure he made two cars side by side – aconventional 4-cylinder model called Model B and a V8 model calledModel 18 (i.e. meaning 1st V8). Except the engines, the cars werebasically the same. Edsel Ford gave them a very stylish look includinga graceful radiator grille.
The V8 was renowned for looks, performance and tunability. After WWII,many used chassis and engines were cheaply available. People modifiedthem with lowered suspensions, aggressive tires, larger engine,upgraded transmission and brakes, sportier bodywork and painted them infancy colors and graphics. These cars were called "hot rods". Withoutthe 1932 Ford V8, there would have no hot rods.
Henry Ford introduced his first V8
