3 Crazy Car Engines in History

Cars have long been a passion for many a man and a woman alike. From the first steam powered vehicle, to the gas guzzling car, then to electrically charged automobiles, there is no doubt man has been seeking for new ways to innovate this wonderful mode of transportation. Over the years we’ve taken to modifying different parts of a car such as the muffler, radiator, or trunk.

But there is one particular car part that stands out when it comes to modifications, as time and time again we take it to the next level: the engine. We’ve listed down three of the craziest engines known to man… as of today, that is.

Bugatti Veyron W16 Engine

Most of the engines on this list are obsolete, but here’s one that’s still in production as of press time: The Bugatti Veyron W16 engine. It was created for one car alone, namely the Bugatti Veyron. The W-16 engine helps the Veyron go up to 343 km/h on the road!

If you prefer lighter cars though, this engine certainly won’t do it for you. It weights a whopping 400 kilograms or 8800 Lbs. With the vehicle weighing in at 1,888 Kg, that’s a lot of weight for an engine to take up, even if it means in exchange for power as this engine has an amazing 1,1000 horsepower! Don’t expect your typical solid engine shape for this baby as it has a W shape, four turbocharges and 64 valves. There are also 16 cylinders on it, and guzzles 8 liters of petrol on a full tank. With all that power, weight and parts, this is for sure one of the craziest engines car engineers have ever thought of in modern history.

Knight Sleeve Valve

These days, cars are everywhere, from the highway, to the mountain and even on a river (thanks amphibious vehicles!). However, there was time when cars were a rare sight, when they were considered more as a “want” rather than a need. It was during this period that Charles Yale Knight wanted to find a more suitable option than the inefficient poppet valves.

His solution? The sturdier sleeve-valve engine. With this mechanism, a gear shaft assists the sleeve encircling the piston to slide up and down. This process exposed the cylinder wall’s intake and exhaust ports. As time went by, technology involved and the poppet valves with it. Soon there was no need for Knight’s Sleeve Valve.

Adams-Farwell

A large percentage of cars nowadays have their engines in the front of the driver and under the hood; rare is the car with its mechanism in the boot. The Adams Farwell engine, surprisingly, can be found under the passenger’s seats.

The engine was only available from 1904 to 1913. Instead of having a moving crankshaft like most cars did during the time, it remains stead and stationary. What do move are the cylinders and pistons, arranged in a way they are stemming from the center. The engine was considered quite lightweight for its time, with its 4.3 liter weighing in at 190 Lbs. and the 8 liter version at 265 Lbs.

Most would agree these three engines are better off in a car museum than on the road, especially considering the engine innovations we’ve had in the recent years. But one has to agree, they certainly have made their mark in car history.