AUBURN, Ind. (WANE) — In the sweltering heat and humidity, classic car enthusiasts shared stories and reunited in Auburn while showcasing a key period in American automotive history.
Members of Early Ford V-8 clubs from across the United States traveled to the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum, located next to Cruise Plaza, to take part in the “2024 Central National Meeting.”
The Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum features a 1932 Ford “Flathead” V-8 engine. According to the museum, the 1932 cylinder head was made of cast iron and had a combustion chamber volume of 70-72 cc.
The organization and museum are dedicated to preserving and promoting Ford Motor Company vehicles produced between 1932 and 1953, with a focus on Ford, Mercury and Lincoln cars, including the company’s first V-8 engine.
Ford didn’t invent the V-8 engine, but with the introduction of the “flathead” V-8 engine, Ford was the first to popularize the engine and make V-8-engined cars affordable.
“Before 1932, there were several companies that built V-engines (V-8, V-12, etc.). [and] “There were even Cadillac V-16 engines, but nobody had made one that was affordable for the mass market,” said Bill Randolph, treasurer of the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum.
Randolph said that until Ford came along, the V8 blocks on pre-1932 engines were made up of multiple parts, which made them expensive.
“Henry [Ford] “And his engineers figured out how to put eight cylinders and a crankcase in one casting, which was a real breakthrough. He did it in a car that sold for about $1,000, and nobody had done it before,” Randolph said.
The “Flathead” engine underwent some tweaks and changes during its production run, but the basic design was used for 21 years and helped Ford continue the success it had generated in the early 20th century.
“It made a huge difference. The V8 engine produced and sold as many cars between 1932 and 1953 as the Model T produced and sold between 1908 and 1927. [as huge]said Randolph.
Randolph said that while Ford “Flathead” V8 cars aren’t as popular as other classic cars, there’s still a fair amount of demand and many enthusiasts who love the era and its history, and who will eventually sell the cars or give them away.
“It’s older people who have been in the hobby for many years, and sooner or later they’re going to sell their cars,” Randolph said.
Perhaps the rarest car at the Early Ford V-8 Foundation Museum is a stainless steel 1936 Ford Deluxe Tudor. According to the museum, only six were made and only four remain. Some of Ford’s dies, tools and presses were damaged in the production of the body panels, because stainless steel is stronger and less flexible than carbon steel.
In addition to looking at classic cars, Randolph said he also enjoys being able to reunite with old friends he normally only sees at events like the national meet.
“It’s been especially rewarding for me, being able to reunite with some of the people here,” Randolph said.
To learn more about the Ford “Flathead” V-8, visit the museum, which is open daily from 9am to 5pm and features dozens of cars on display along with many artifacts from Ford’s past.
