History Is the flathead making a comeback?

Danbury was a club and stayed flathead as did Waterloo, Fulton and I believe Watertown Speedways here in NY well into the 1960s. I believe inline 6 were also legal but no OHV V8s!

In fact the New York State Fair race on Labor Day (one mile dirt oval) was flathead/inline 6 until 1966!

Well after the heyday of the flathead!

 

Eh, for what it's worth. Few key factors play into this how I see it.

1. I think the recent Video content from people like ITG and a few others have some to do with the recent surge from the younger generation. I think alot also has to do with people are so fed up with screens in their vehicles that doing it the old-fashioned way has more appeal. Also look at the other parts of this hobby as a whole, they all are so fad driven it's not funny. Sema is a joke now where Lifted trucks with bluetooth driveshafts and Jap cars dominate. Some people want to "fit in" some just don't care, I fall into the latter.
2. We now have car show's that are mainly focused on early hotrodding.
3. Affordability of this stuff is now cheaper than buying a brand-new vehicle.
4. The computer-controlled motors have a lifespan, look at the LT1 craze many years ago for prime example 1. Plastic fading, trying to hide all these sensors and injectors etc. They won't ever look good no matter how much lipstick you put on em.
5. Flatheads are steel and aluminum. No plastic intakes, no sensors, just the basics. There is great appeal in simple stuff that has stood the test of time.
6. Bangers are still a thing, Flathead v8s are still a thing. Its motoring at the roots. 60 MPH in a stockish A is downright a thrill that puts race cars to shame.

Driving a flathead has an essence about it. I have built a few flathead v8s, and build a few cars with stout bangers as well. Both have a feeling that I cannot explain but never fails to bring a little joy in my life.

Picture was taken on my Texas Beach Run 2025, driving a flathead v8 powered 34 Sedan, Mech Brakes and all.

 

I hope they are having a resurgence. I want the p***ion folks have for them to be p***ed.

I want more hot rod and cl***ic car resurgence... more Hemi, Olds, Poncho, SBC, swap meets, Ts, As, shows, drag racing, more general positive attention to old cars, more support, more pals having sharing shop time, more tech AND build threads, MORE HAMB! I'm sure I missed some things, haha! Anyway, that's my prayer. -Amen.

 

^^^^Yeah what he said^^^^

 

Been my driver since 1995

 

Well I took mine out for a drive today to run an errand and got more thumbs up and what year is it’s than I would in my OT daily. And there is no way that flattie is going to set a new land speed record ​

 

Here's Google Gemini's take on the conversation (I tried to give a long and detailed prompt...)

The Ford Flathead V8 is having a m***ive renaissance. It is no longer about chasing the fastest quarter-mile time; it’s about "The Look," "The Sound," and a deep appreciation for the roots of American performance.

Why the Flathead is Back in the 2020s

1. The "Traditional" Hot Rod Movement

Starting in the late 2000s and accelerating through the 2020s, there has been a m***ive cultural shift away from the "Street Rod" era (billet aluminum, independent front suspensions, and Small Block Chevys). In its place, the Traditional Hot Rod movement has taken over. Builders now want cars that look like they rolled out of a garage in 1948 or 1952. In that context, a Chevy engine in a Ford is often seen as "cheating" or simply uninspired.

2. Modern Engineering for Old Iron

In the 1970s, Flatheads were often discarded because they were cracked, overheating, and hard to find parts for. Today, the aftermarket is arguably better than it was in the 1950s:

• New Blocks: Companies like H&H Flatheads and others provide fully remanufactured or even new castings, solving the "cracked block" lottery of the swap meet.
• Cooling Solutions: High-flow water pumps and modern radiator designs have tamed the Flathead's notorious overheating issues.
• Performance Parts: You can still buy brand-new finned aluminum heads from Edelbrock or Offenhauser, and multi-carburetor setups are widely available.

3. The "Cool Factor" and Sound

A Small Block Chevy sounds like a race car, but a Flathead has a distinct, low-frequency "thrum" that nothing else can replicate. Because the exhaust p***es through the block, it creates a unique tonal quality that acts like a siren song for traditionalists. In the 2020s, having a Flathead is a status symbol—it says you value history and mechanical "soul" over raw horsepower.

Comparison: Then vs. Now

Era - Primary Engine Choice - Motivation
1940s-50s - Flathead V8 It was the only affordable V8 available.
1960s-90s - Small Block Chevy Maximum "bang for your buck" and reliability.
2020s - Flathead V8 Aesthetics, heritage, and period-correctness.
Is it right for a build today?

While a Flathead will generally not beat a modern engine in a race, it wins every "hood-up" contest at a car show. If you're building a car to enjoy the visceral, mechanical experience of a bygone era, the Flathead is the undisputed king.

 

Word. I've been a die hard flathead guy since my teens and I'm 55 now. Not always easy being flat, but it's been a lot of fun. To each their own I guess.

With the old timey racing events that are popular now and most only allow flatheads or pre-'53 OHV engines, flatheads are certainly making a comeback.