10 of our favorite Ford V-8s

1. The Flathead (1932–1953)

This is where the V-8 party started. The Flathead wasn’t the first V-8 ever made, but it was the first affordable one—and that changed everything.

At just 65 horsepower, it wasn’t fast by today’s standards, but when dropped into the sleek 1932 Ford Model 18, it sparked a revolution. The Flathead built the hot rod scene from the ground up, with parts and speed shops popping up coast to coast.

Though phased out in the U.S. by 1954, it lived on overseas and still shows up today in land-speed cars using vintage castings.
Why it matters: It kicked off America’s love affair with V-8 performance.