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Which Car Never Got the Engine It Deserved?
One thing I’ve learned in my time with the Hagerty Community is to never underestimate what they (i.e., YOU) can contribute to the content we create here at Hagerty Media. I enjoy wondering about the variety of our collective hopes and dreams for our classic, antique, and specialty vehicles. Be it an engine swap or a full restoration, we all have such dreams, don’t we?
So here’s the question I pose to everyone: what if the cars we love also had hopes and dreams? I reckon among the first things they’d dream about is having the best engine possible under their hoods. So tell me, Hagerty Community:
What car never got the engine it deserved, and what is that engine?
I’ll answer the second part first. As a Ford Lincoln-Mercury enthusiast, I’ve used this answer more often than I can remember: The Ford “427 SOHC” big block V-8. This rowdy, single overhead camshaft version of Ford’s venerable FE engine was based on the 427 side oiler, but with hemispherical heads and that unique SOHC valvetrain. The idea was to make a motor that would put Chrysler’s 426 HEMI on notice, but it never reached such fame. And that’s a shame.
I suspect any Ford equipped with a 427 SOHC also needed one of those “as-is” stickers, just like the 426 Mopar it intended to usurp. That’s a necessary distraction, because Ford could have sold enough of these to justify all that effort. (Or so I’d like to believe!)
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Every Ford Thunderbolt needed this mill. It should have been an option for the Mercury Cougar. Or perhaps a limited run of “Cammer Continental Convertibles,” because that’s right up my alley. But now it’s your turn to contribute, valued member of the Hagerty Community:
What car never got the engine it deserved, and what is that engine?
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They should have put a V6 in the Chrysler PT Cruiser
One that needed a more powerful engine was the Retro-Bird series. As I recall, 252 and 280 HP was not enough to get enthusiasts’ attention. (Additionally, the styling was too mundane and did not carry over any of the classic lines of the 55-57 Thunderbirds)
Hey, Don, regarding the “Retro-Bird” series, at their 100th anniversary (2003) event, Ford had a slightly restyled car on display. The only detail that I remember was a recessed grille, However, the subtle changes made a huge difference. Sadly, Ford never followed up with a production version.
The 1970 Oldsmobile 442 with the Oldsmobile hemi engine.
The MGB. It’s engine bay was designed to take a modern V4 that BMC intended to make, but ran out of money to develop. Instead we got a 1947 vintage I4. Rugged engine but limited power. On the bright side that wide engine bay has been a new home to many varieties of V6’s and V8’s
The NA and NB Miatas deserved to get a Mazda K series V6. They were compact enough to easily fit in the engine bay and would likely have shifted the weight even farther back to make them a little more tail heavy. A 45/65 FR Miata with a little more power an characterful engine would have been a great option.
Pontiac Fiero should have had the 150hp Olds Quad 4.
BMW E36 – way underpowered
The 2002 – 2005 Thunderbirds. Would have been a great car with a better engine and a 5-speed. Never understood why this didn’t happen.
The GTO should have gotten the Super Duty 421. Would have reigned as the real GOAT until the one hit wonder 1970 Chevelle 454 LS6 arrived.
The 20064-2006 Ford “retro” Thunderbird was underpowered and overpriced. It should have had at least the Taurus SHO Yamaha engine in it with a 5-speed and the price point should have been in the low $30,000’s. Looks nice but that’s where it all stops. I’m not a Ford guy but I think Ford really blew it. Maybe that’s why this T-Bird was only produced for three years.
Speaking of T-Birds, the beautiful ‘87-‘88 Turbo Coupes should have had the 5.0 HO out of the Mustang GT. The 2.3 turbo 4 cyl didn’t live up to the appearance and handling of that car.
XJ220 never lived up to it’s potential for one reason. Also agree with other comments about the DeLorean.
The Chevy Cosworth Vega (never hear anything about them any more). A turbo would have given it a kick in the butt. In its’ day a very interesting car from a regular Vega. A few more horses would have made it a lot more interesting.
The Chevrolet Vega should have had a Small Block V-8 option for the GT. Along with 5 lug wheels, a TH350, and a stronger rear differential.
I’ll go oddball and say the Chevette should have gotten the V6 that GM experimented with putting in it. Not all the options on the “should have gotten _____ engine” need to be high priced options. In 1982, GM experimented with the 2.8 V6 in the Chevette and it was (for its time) quite the little pocket rocket. Here’s an article from Car & Driver.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/a61818559/1982-chevrolet-v-6-chevette-archive-test/
3rd Gen Camaro/Firebird. My 82 Firebird with the Crossfire 305 V8 was under-powered. And when the 350 TPI finally arrived it was automatic only.
My loaded white/white 1973 GTO had a 455 CID but there wasn’t even the option of the 455 SD engine, on a GTO!! What the hell were they thinking! Only 544 1973 GTOs were produced in 1973 with the 455. I wish I still had it.