NeonLX

It's funny, but the old poly 318 "wide block" looked larger than the RB engines such as the 413 and 440 V8s. The heads on the old poly engines were really big and the blocks had a lot of heft to them. But this was before they'd figured out the thinwall casting methods as were used in the later 273/318/340/360 V8s (and also the small block Chevy, of course).

Lotsa good guesses! You're looking at a Mopar 318 "polysphere" V8, produced from 1957 through 1966. It was a poor man's version of the Hemi, with "polyspherical" combusion chambers and splayed valves. The idea behind the engine was to get as close to the Hemi's efficient combustion design while minimizing the mechanical complexity. First application for this version of the 318 was in the '57 Plymouth Fury where it developed 290 HP with the help of two 4V carbs and a rather hot cam. This engine family actually dates to 1956 when a 240 HP, 303 CID engine was used in the '56 Fury. There were also 277, 301, and 326 CID versions of this engine produced during the mid- and late-1950s (the 326 was only used in certain Dodges for 1959). In '58, the Fury 318 with 2X4V carbs was still available, but there were also more mildly tuned versions with 2V and single 4V carbs available. After 1958, only the 2V and 4V versions remained. The "poly" 318 became Chrysler's base V8 in Plymouths and Dodges and lasted through 1966. After 1962, only the 2V version was offered, rated at 230 HP and 340 lbs/ft of torque. In 1967, the modern 318 was introduced. The new 318 was merely a bored version of the small block 273 V8 introduced for 1964. Interestingly, both the older "poly" 318 and the newer, smallblock "wedge" 318 had the same bore & stroke dimensions (3.91" X 3.31"), but that's where the similarity ends. I had a '66 Plymouth Belvedere sedan with the "poly" 318 in it for many years. It was a surprisingly potent engine and it also got decent fuel economy. The newer "wedge" 318 that replaced the older "poly" design was lighter and the valvetrain was simpler, but I think it gave up some power compared to the older 318 engine.

I'll give one hint: it ain't a GM V8.

I liked the "six window" style of 4-door hardtops GM used in the late 1950s and early 1960s as well. The Buick Electras in the photos above are what I'm talking about. You get the "formality" of a six window design with a hardtop style. Electras and 98s of this period looked especially good. The '61 98 was probably the best, in my view ('course, I couldn't find a picture of one on the web).

OK, I'm making a wild guess here. I know they redesigned the six-banger engine for 1937 so I'm gonna go with that for the answer to at least one of the above. My '52 Chevy had the 216 CID six which was also used in trucks. The dipstick was on the passenger side and it had the center-mounted valve cover bolts. And I think the 216 dated back to 1937. Not sure of the configuration of the six-bangers before 1937...

I didn't think it was possible for a 1960 Plymouth to look good but I wouldn't mind staring at that photo for a LONG time. Oh wait... I hate to say it, but that '58 Plymouth would actually look better without the fender skirts.

Yes indeed, Balthazar called it--the '57 Rambler Rebel came equipped with a 255 horsepower version of American Motor's new 327 V8 (also used in that year's big Nash Ambassador and the last gasp Hudson Hornet). A 288 horsepower, fuel-injected version of the 327 was supposed to go into production but never made it because of the electronic glitches mentioned by Balthazar. Even with the carbureted engine, the Rebel was pretty darned fast. It supposedly would hit 60 MPH from rest in 7.2 to 7.5 seconds with the optional 4.11 final gears & stick shift tranny. Very quick by 1957 standards. '57 Rambler Rebel: http://www.gobrainstorm.net/~mystkblu/327/57rebel.htm

OK, I'm looking at a mid-sized 4-door hardtop that has a 327 V8 under the hood. Bore and stroke dimensions of the engine are 4" X 3.25"--familiar dimensions to small block Chevy fans everywhere. The car I'm looking at has a 4V carb on top of the 327 but fuel injection is supposedly optional, according to the brochure anyway. Here's the odd part--I'm looking at a 1957 model and Chevy's famous 327 didn't come out until the 1962 model year. What in the heck is going on here?? And yes, the car I'm looking at was made in the U.S. of A.

Wanna see a car that makes the 1977-'79 Thunderbird look good? Try the 1980-'82 model: I started calling them "B-tirds" at this point. They were just plain NASTY (IMHO).

Actually, weren't the 1962 and later Impala SS models available with a 6-cyl. engine as well (at least up until 1965 or '66)? I'm going on memory here (very dangerous at my age) but I seem to remember seeing at least one 1962-ish Impala SS with a six banger under the hood.

You're good!

So during what model year did this exchange at the Olds dealer take place? ME: Gosh! I sure love this Dynamic 88 hardtop! I hope it has the new 394 V8 in it! SALES DROID: Well sonny, I hate to tell ya this, but in order to get the new 394, you gotta step up to the Super 88 model. The Dynamic 88 comes only with the 371 V8. ME (with great disappointment in my voice): Aw, shucks. I really wanted that new V8 in the Dynamic 88.

Thank you. Sorry I blew up.

I think the '59 Pontiac is one of the most underrated old cars of all time. It was gorgeous AND well-engineered. The 389 V8 really put Pontiac on the performance map (though even the '57 341 and '58 370 V8s were pretty strong). First of the "wide track" Pontiacs too. I love 'em.

Already done it: 1956 Chevrolet 210 hardtop w/ 265 "power pack" V8 1966 Plymouth Belvedere w/ 318 "poly" V8 1971 Chrysler Newport w/ 383 V8 1972 Olds 98 w/ "Rocket" 455 V8 1973 Chrysler New Yorker w/ 440 V8

The '53 Stude and '55 DeSoto are so pretty as to bring tears to my eyes. The DeSoto is REALLY impressive in person; I saw a '55 Fireflite Coronado in a display room at an auto dealership recently and was blown away by how stunning the car was. Here's anudder one of my favorites:

OK, so that was my first and probably my last trivia question for this forum. I now can see that lead balloons can't really fly. I was reading a book about Chevrolet Police Cars by Ed Sanow, which gives a year by year description of police packages offered from 1955 through 1996. In the 1962 section, the author describes the Chevy II patrol car, which came standard with a 153 CID four and had the 194 CID six as an option. There's even a picture of the Chevy II dressed up in patrol uniform, complete with a cherry on top. I'll shut up now.

Probably an Impala LS. Or maybe a Malibu Maxx.

Oops, my bad. I had the concept of "body sharing" in my head when I wrote "platform". I was remembering the old A-body, B-body, C-body etc. scheme and my mind slipped a cog or two. Happens more frequently in my advanced age. Yer right, of course. And yes, Jesus IS holy.

Only time I'll use the high test stuff is when we're making a fast-@ssed trip cross country in a loaded down vehicle and I know I'll be hammering down hard on the accelerator. Otherwise, I use regular 87 octane all the time We have a fair amount of gasohol around here--one big benefit is that it helps to prevent fuel line freezing during the winter.

Ah yes, "badge engineering" at its finest... But didn't the '65 Impala, Catalina, 88 and LeSabre all share the same platform? How about the 1950 Bel-Air, Star Chief Catalina, & 88 Holiday? I guess the difference is that while these older models had the same platform, not only were their trim, fascias, interiors and option loads different, but even the powertrains were distinct.

So let's say you were a police department looking for a patrol car a few decades back and you wanted the car to have a 153 CID 4-cyl. engine under the hood. What would you choose? Hints-- Your police department is here in the U.S. You want a GM vehicle You might consider the optional 194 CID six Eisenhower is no longer president of the country.

Well, to be fair: it also has a Pontiac steering wheel. So it's more than just a Vega with a Pontiac grille divider. There's an Astre right down the street from me. The guy yanked the original 4-banger and put some kind of SBC V8 under the hood. I'll try to get a picture of it sometime.

'nuff said.

American Motors. I'll admit to it now--I owned both the '52 Chevy and the Pacer in the photo below.