The History of Performance Vehicles
The automobile was invented in the late 1800s and was perfected throughout the 20th century. From the Ford Model T to the Ford GT40, the automobile underwent a gradual transition from a slow and reliable form of basic transportation into truly impressive performance vehicles capable of traveling hundreds of miles per hour for up to a full day without stopping for anything other than fuel and a change of tires and brake pads.
The following is a quick look at the history of performance vehicles over the years.
Ford Model T Standardizes Production
The Model T is not recognized among performance cars, but it is the model that enabled them. Standardized production techniques and solid engineering helped Ford build a car that worked well under various weather and road conditions – even where roads mostly did not exist and instead consisted of two-track trails. The Model T debuted in 1908 and remained a top seller until Ford ceased its production in 1927.
‘32 Ford V8 Changes the Landscape
Few vehicles created a stir more than the 1932 Ford and its all-new V8 engine. The debut of the Ford V8 paired with the 1932 coupe body and chassis created a winner that remains highly sought after to this day. The ’32 coupe worked equally well as a family car, fleet vehicle, or hot-rodded drag racer. Gangster Clyde Barrow infamously wrote Henry Ford to praise the Ford V8 as his favorite getaway vehicle.
Small Block V8 ’55 Chevy Changes the Market
Muscle cars were all the rage in the late 1960s and early 1970s but mostly got their start with the 1955 Chevrolet. The ’55 Chevy debuted with the now-legendary small block Chevy V8 that measured 350 cubic inches and proved to be imminently customizable.
Ford GT40 Dominates Le Mans
Ford famously sought to unseat Ferrari as the reigning 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance champion in the early 1960s. The Ford GT40 was the result, and it took a couple of years to accomplish its mission. A heavily modified stock 427 Ford V8 mounted in the back propelled the legendary GT40 to four consecutive Le Mans victories from 1966 through 1969.
Corvette Debuts the Mid-Engine Model in 2020
The Chevy Corvette has been a popular sports car since it debuted in 1953. Yet, it never quite gained global admiration as a sports car until its more recent models. The 2020 Corvette was the first to feature a mid-engine model that challenges the world’s best performance cars as one of the fastest production vehicles available.
Ensure Your Vehicle Performs Its Best
Auto Truck Service in Everett, WA, is the area’s best source of vehicle inspections, maintenance, and repairs to help ensure you are buying a quality vehicle. Whether you are looking at performance cars or commercial trucks, we can take the guesswork out of the equation so that you know exactly what you are buying. We also can maintain and repair your vehicle after you buy it.
Categorised in: Performance Vehicles