Saturday, July 29, 2017

The first overhead valve engine, was a Buick

Strange to learn that an also ran company like Buick, that never lead the field in luxury, sports, sedans, or concepts, lead the world in engines.

Once.

David Buick teamed up with the inventor, Walter Marr, who created the OHV in 1900, and by 1904 was producing a flat twin OHV, but later that year they went under, and were bought out by Durant.

Of course, the 455 GSX was a monster, and the GN turbo 6 is a legend. But in over 100 years, they didn't get Buick out of the shadow of GM

5 comments:

  1. "also ran company" I respectfully disagree:

    https://www.cheatsheet.com/automobiles/10-buicks-that-put-performance-first.html/?a=viewall

    An Indy record that still stands today is just one benchmark...

    http://www.buickheritagealliance.org/buick_history/motor_division

    The Y-Job is arguably the most beautiful concept car ever:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buick_Y-Job

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    1. well.. ok. You ecrtainly gave me an idea for a post... the most beautiful concept cars ever.

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  2. Also, the Century was the original pre-WWII muscle car:

    https://ateupwithmotor.com/model-histories/buick-century-1936-1942/

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  3. In the late thirties Buick built what is generally acknowledged as the first factory built muscle car, the Century! They took the 320 cubic inch straight eight from the Limited and Roadmaster and dropped it into the shorter, and lighter, Century. Presto, a factory hot rod!

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    Replies
    1. right on. I thought I'd posted about that, and I haven't. I've read about it a couple times though.

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