Five essential V8 facts

1 / 5 Ford Flathead V8: Henry Ford didn't invent the car, production line, V8, or mass production, but his application of the latter to all of the former changed the world forever. Henry's most affordable cars featured fours or sixes - until Ford's 'L-Head' V8 arrived in 1932. A simple design with the camshaft sited above the crankshaft, the Flathead was easy for amateurs to work on and tuneable enough to delight Rodders. It also brought performance to the people. Career criminals John Dillinger and Clyde Barrow both wrote to Henry praising the Flathead's getaway speed.