Het wereldwijde magazine en verkoopplatform voor liefhebbers van klassieke auto’s, door liefhebbers.
Het wereldwijde magazine en verkoopplatform voor liefhebbers van klassieke auto’s, door liefhebbers.
Filter
Maak een keuze
- Auto's
-
Merk >>
-
Bouwjaar >>
-
-
Categorie >>
- Motorfietsen
- Onderdelen
-
Automerk >>
-
Fabrikant >>
-
Categorie >>
- Fietsen
-
Bouwjaar >>
-
Landen
World’s first V8 was a real gem
Ever seen this? It’s a rare and very early De Dion-Bouton V8 of 1912. And as a matter of fact that particular engine is the first-ever V8 engine to have found its way to a motor car. There are a few early survivors. We came across this news item here but don't know how long it has been there.
Anyway: the De Dion-Bouton V8 was initially made in three variants: a 4-litre, 6,1-litre and 7,8-litre. This top view picture supposedly dates back to 1909 and therefore must show a prototype. After production had started, the first V8s found their way into cars in 1912 and they were built until the company’s demise in the 1930s. By that time further extremes in capacity followed: a 14.7-litre variant but also a more economical 2.5-litre version! All of these engines came with twin carburettors for each bank of cylinders.
The company had also patented the fork-and-blade arrangement of connecting rods for use in these engines. This made it possible to locate each pair of cylinders on the same vertical axis, shortening the engine and making it possible for one set of cams to do the work of two. Very clever. Despite the patent, Cadillac, Lincoln and Hispano-Suiza were to follow soon with very similar arrangements but De Dion-Bouton was happy to sell licenses, not just for the fork-and-blade system. Supposedly more than 150 manufacturers of automobiles and motorcycles bought licenses, making De Dion-Bouton one of the most powerful manufacturers of the early days of the motorcar…
Words by the editor. Picture Kenzo Sarrazyn.
Gepubliceerd:
dinsdag december 17th, 2019
Facebook
LinkedIn
Twitter
WhatsApp
Email
Copy
Reacties
Detlef Kayser
17 December 2019, 11:56
I know a 1919 De Dion Bouton V8 touring for sale here in Germany. The car has been partly restored many years ago but has never been finished.
I'd be prepared to arrange contact with the sel,ler if wanted.
Lees verder
I'd be prepared to arrange contact with the sel,ler if wanted.
G.M.
17 December 2019, 08:58
According to this link, there was alreaddy a car whit this engine in 1908 ? https://www.rmw.lv/car/en/type-ax-15hp-double-berline-1908-by-roussille-fils-bergerac
Lees verder
keith kuehn
17 December 2019, 06:38
This is precisely why I love PreWarCar.....little tidbits of information and history, which, to some may seem worthless and unimportant, but to a historian and lover of these old crocks and oily rags, it's food for our souls. And, most importantly, history being preserved. This here is another example of history that I never knew about at all. Thank you to all who send in all this wonderful information to be enjoyed by all......oh, have a Blessed Christmas everyone! Keith
Lees verder
Mark Roberts
17 December 2019, 02:50
The Rolls Royce 3.5 litre V8 from 1905/06. The oil pump (mounted underneath) provided the engine with a very early pressurized lubrication system which fed the main bearings through drilled crankshaft journals. Even though it was very short lived with none surviving today, it did lead on to the more successful 40/50 hp type six cylinder engine which was to follow for many years later.
Lees verder
Peter Ransom
17 December 2019, 02:43
I wonder if you have considered the Rolls Royce Legalimit of 1905 as the first V8?
Lees verder
Graeme Simpson
17 December 2019, 02:14
Not quite the first V-8, but most innovative and interesting and nicely designed. But De Dion-Bouton's V-8 was apparently more commercially successful than the Rolls Royce Legalimit V-8 of 1905: see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolls-Royce_V-8_(1905)
Lees verder
Brian Walker
17 December 2019, 00:34
It may have been the first production car with V8 but as far as I know the first V8 fitted to a motor car was the 1905 Land speed record Darracq. 25,422cc. 200 bhp was possible at 1200 rpm.
Lees verder
In 1903, for the famous Paris-Madrid race, the French company Ader was present with a team of 3 cars with V8 engine. With a weight of about 650 kg, they were registered in the light car category ; the declared power was of 35 bhp. The drivers were Valentin, Quinzcaut and Simon and all of them arrived, without trouble, in Bordeaux where the race was stopped.