What are your favorite engine names?
What’s in a name? Is it massive torque? Immense power? Something else?
No matter what you’re into, great engine names are out there. Ford has the Windsor and Coyote, with the Essex for oddball lovers like yours truly. Chrysler has the Hemi and Hellcat, but there’s something inherently impressive about the phrase Max Wedge. Chevrolet motors aren’t necessarily as catchy in the moniker department, but the big-block rat and small-block mouse motors are nicknames worthy of mention.
And let’s not forget the (Mercury) Super Marauder V-8, (Buick) Fireball V-6, and even the (Oldsmobile) Rocket. Marketers in Detroit were working overtime in the good ol’ days, and we admire Stellantis for dubbing its new inline-six “Hurricane,” which has a whiff of decades past.
That’s just what we see stateside and in English, too, which means there are perhaps plenty more noms de “boom“ around the globe. (Multi-lingual readers—enlighten us!)
So let’s get into it, what are your all-time favorite engine names?
Willys “Go Devil” flathead four used in WWII jeeps and early CJs
Ford “Interceptor”; Pontiac “Trophy V8”
Chevy legendary RPO codes. ZL1, L88, LS6
I’m ‘still’ ol’ school …
6 – 2s on a 425 NAILHEAD !!!
409 of course!
Graymarine Fireball V8 . . . in my Century Resorter wood boat. It is a modified for marine use 1950s design 250 ci AMC engine. Reliable and rugged.
You all missed the classic of classic names, The One and Only,SPIDER TURBO CHARGED CORVAIR. Owned
a 1964 Convertible, Turbo of course. Surprised many at the stoplight. Also owned a 4dr sedan with dual carbs and it was no wimp at the stop light either.. As we used to say, 4 on the floor and a 5th under the seat . 89 now and not much fun any more.
Name vs Engine?
My favorite NAME is, The name “Iron Duke”. Too bad that great name was used on an engine that couldn’t light any kind of flame, blue or otherwise.
Too much iron, not enough duke.
AMC’s “Typhoon” is my favorite.
My car’s engine has the best name, 455 Rocket!
Fords 428 Cobra Jet ( Super Cobra Jet) and Police Interceptor!
How about the 1960 – 61 Plymouth “Hyper Pak” high performance slant six engine.
“three deuces” still turns my crank in my 65 GTO
Super Comando is another one I remember from high school days.
Turbo Jet, Mark IV Mystery Motor (Big block Chevy)