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John Ford - Ford Publishing 5/05/03 johnford@2fords.net |
1932 Ford...
The first of the "Flatheads".
This 1932 model produced a stunning 65 horsepower rating and was
221 cubic inches. The production of which came about when Carl Schmaltz, Ray Lard, and Mil Zoerlein, working
in secret, took one of Henry Ford's ideas and turned it into a
production item. The first production car came off the line on
March 9th, 1932. The new flathead was cast as a single unit block
and many said the 90 degree V8 was an engineering impossibility.
Early engines suffered from casting pinholes, cracks or overheating.
The motor acquired a reputation as an oil burner after 1000 miles.
To combat these stories, a V8 car was commissioned to travel 33301
miles in 33 days on a 32 mile course across the Mojave desert.
It averages 20 mpg for the trip, and remained in one piece. Subsequently,
the flathead continued to be produced
through 1953.
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