Technical Chevrolet's First V8

Who thinks that 1955 was the first Chevy V8?

I sure thought it was! Here's an earlier example.

 

Here's my friends 1917 Chevrolet. The first V8 for Chevy. It was too expensive and problematic. Discontinued early....only 20 examples exist with only about 10 currently running.

 

Here she is in all her running glory! Head gaskets we're $100 each. A replacement cap and rotor was priced at $1500! Almost unobtainable. Several items were reproduced from scratch. A great car.

 

Here's the cockpit....


Check out the shiny bits on the engine. They were originally there. One of the first corporate hotrods!

 

old news....

https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/threads/when-was-the-first-chevrolet-v8-made.58250/

(check the date of the thread)



.

 

Ok. How about old news from a new guy with a newly restored example. Thanks!

 

Well dang you answered your own question and dished us as well.........

 

Yeah, that history was written years ago.

Here's one fer yeah if you want mostly unrecognized stuff -
How come when the history of Muscle cars is talked about, the supercharged Studebaker Avanti isn't mentioned..? Not only isn't not mentioned very often, but it was on the road in...1963 !

Let's see - Streamlined (mostly) body - check, posi rear end - check, supercharged engine - check, disc brakes (front) - check, return unused fuel to the fuel tank - check, fiberglass body (light weight) - check.

There's probably other things that I don't recall right now..!
Seems to me the Avanti was right up there with the Big Three's best, and even outdid them in some respects.

Mike

 

I'm not trying to be negative at all. I just thought y'all might want to see a nice restored example. I guess not. No worries! Happy Father's day!

 

Honestly, dad thought that y'all would like to see his buddy's car. He suggested that I give y'all grief about the first Chevy V8. He obviously underestimated your knowledge. Have a great weekend. No stress or disrespect intended.

 

Yip, i learned that back in 75 and still have the book. 288cid, overhead valve and pressure fed mains on the crank. Series D. JW

 

It was nice to see such a rare engine though again. And it looks like a beautiful car. Thanks for letting us see it.

 

It may be old news for some, but gosh, for many others it may be a major surprise? I've known of them, but, never seen one in the flesh before. I think this is a very cool post. Thanks Nicholas for sharing.

 

New to me
Beautiful car

 

Can you explain to me the lack of fan? How does it cool itself?
And what are the copper lines feeding?

 

I believe this a Model 490, I saw an example in Upstate N.Y. back in the early 70's. Glad to see that more than 1 survived. Did some research and the 490 did not have the V-8. Still a neat touring car priced at $490 to compete with the Fords, hence the name. Thanks, Nick.

 

The Avanti is not really a Muscle car for the same reasons a Covette was not one..

 

The story I always heard was that they were so problematic that GM dumped them in Lake Superior by the barge load.
There's a reason why they only offered them for one year.

 

According to the sign, it’s a 1918 not a 1917. Post it on the Ford Barn or The antiquated. Not much hot rod or custom about your friends beautiful car as it relates to the HAMB.

 

People are rude. Thanks for sharing this @Nicholas Coe
If people don't have anything good to say, they should keep their mouths shut. That's traditional!

Do you have any videos of it running?

 

Telling us we don't know basic facts about old cars is also kind of rude....

 

Well I had no idea, never heard of them before so maybe not basic car facts to everyone….then again I don’t feel the need to run someone down to try to prove how much I know…

neat car Nick.

 

Some members seem to be a bit sensitive about the vast amount of knowledge the have accumulated on their own, without help from outside sources. I think a survey of folks under age 40 might reveal a belief that the first SBC was a 350. I've seen drawings of the Chevrolet Eight but Coe's post was the first to show photos. I thank him for the info even though I'm in the geezer class.

 

I have known about this for over 50 years. I had a history teacher who said his parents had one. He said it broke down every time they went for a Sunday drive. Would be in the shop all week to break down on the next family outing. It is a beautiful engine.

 

Thanks for sharing the photos Nicholas, many of us old farts had heard of the first Chevy V-8, but to see and hear it in person was amazing. I wish that I had gotten the back story on the car like where has it been, when was it restored, and I'm sure there are some stories on finding and or fabricating parts.



)

 

This is not a "490", but a completely different animal. The "490" was a different model aimed at the Model "T" market. The name came from it's initial offering price of $490 (when a new Model "T" was $495). They were quite successful in the market, unlike their V8 brother). The were all powered by a 4 cylinder OHV engine (the precursor of the famous "Stovebolt 6").

 

Tough crowd huh Nicholas? I’ve seen line drawings of that engine but I’ve never seen one in its natural habitat. Thanks. It must have been an adventure bringing one back to life. I’m wondering if they addressed all of those problems and made it more reliable during the restoration.
Happy Father’s Day.

 

Can't be a small block Chevy v8 it's not orange or in a Ford!

 

Saw that beautiful lady Saturday up on Petit Jean. The owner had his RV parked right down from my rv spot I rent for parking and occasional camping during the meet. Absolutely beautiful