If you love antique cars, then being able to get up close and personal with a classic engine is a dream. You can learn how carmakers changed various components of the engine to improve performance, increase horsepower, and maximize torque. The V-8, in particular, is a popular engine, regardless of the decade. Here are five of the largest classic V-8s that were sold from Detroit, MI, one of the birthplaces of the classic automobile.

5 Largest V-8s From Detroit

1. Cadillac^® 500

The Cadillac 500 engine was an improvement on the 1968 V-8 that produced 375 horsepower. There was a rivalry between carmakers at this time to produce engines with high amounts of horsepower. As a result, Cadillac then came out with the 500 engine in 1970 that had 400 horsepower and an amazing 550 foot-pounds of torque. This is considered the largest classic V-8 to come from Detroit. Unfortunately, regulations regarding emissions and mileage forced Cadillac to lower the output of this engine, which then caused the antique car to be phased out by 1976. 

2. Lincoln^® 462

While the Lincoln 460 and 462 have similar engine displacements, the 462 was modeled after the Mercury-Edsel-Lincoln block, which was first made in 1958. This engine was capable of 340 horsepower and could only be found in Continentals. It was largely used between 1966 and 1968.

3. Lincoln 460

The Lincoln 460 engine was often found in the Continental. Its purpose was to offer a decent amount of horsepower, while still creating a smooth and quiet driving experience. The small carburetor prevented it from achieving more than 365 horsepower. The engines were in use until the latter part of the 1970s, when they were adapted to fit larger vehicles, like trucks.

4. Oldsmobile^® 455

Oldsmobile manufactured a Generation II V-8 engine in 1964. A year later, it increased the deck height and installed a larger stroke to produce a “big block” model of the same 455 engine. By 1968, Pontiac was installing the W34 version in the Toronado GT coupe, which provided 400 horsepower. 

5. Pontiac^® 455

The Pontiac 455 engine first appeared in 1955. Due to the longer stroke, it was meant to provide more low-speed torque than horsepower. The size of the 455 remained the same throughout its production, with only the deck height changing slightly. By 1970, Pontiac created an H.O. model that delivered 370 horsepower with an impressive torque of 500 foot-pounds.

If you’re enthralled by antique cars and their engines, consider going to the Charlotte AutoFair in North Carolina, a biannual auto show held in April and September. It’s also the largest collector vehicle event in the southeast, with over 8,000 vendor spaces where car experts display and sell their vehicles. The show’s popularity has gained worldwide attention for its selection of antique cars and auto parts. Call (704) 841-1990 today to learn more about the car show, or visit them online to purchase a vendor space in advance.