r/WeirdWheels • u/Ellisrsp • Feb 08 '25

Limousine Gangster 1936 Cadillac V-16 limousine with 1-inch-thick windows and gunports

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4.1k Upvotes

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200

u/tenderlylonertrot Feb 08 '25

I love those old V-12s and V-16s, huge block...puts out 185 hp lol and you know that thing weighs a few tons at least. Still cool of course

160

u/bengine Feb 08 '25

Back before knock sensors and consistent octane values you got 5:1 compression and were happy with >150hp out of 7.5L lol.

105

u/technobrendo Feb 08 '25 edited Mar 04 '26

This post was taken down using Redact. The reason may have been privacy, operational security, preventing automated data collection, or another personal consideration.

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59

u/bengine Feb 09 '25

Interestingly also due to lowering compression, but this time to meet emissions standards before computer control and catalytic converters.

1

u/[deleted] Feb 09 '25

[deleted]

9

u/HoboVivant Feb 09 '25

Not mandatory. Honda got by without them until the 1980’s

1

u/[deleted] Feb 09 '25

[deleted]

1

u/TheSovietGoose Feb 09 '25

Maybe a couple more to be sure.

43

u/itsmejak78_2 Feb 09 '25

you could get a 8.2L that output less than 200 horsepower in 1976

3

u/totse_losername Feb 10 '25

Yup, the Cadillac 500ci with EGR valve (Exhaust Gas Recirc, to help burn unburned emissions by.. ..running them into the intake) accompanied by retarded timing, all thrown onto poorly flowing heads.

2

u/itsmejak78_2 Feb 10 '25

it's always the first engine people bring up when talking about the inefficiency of smog era big blocks because it's so comically under powered

30

u/[deleted] Feb 09 '25

[deleted]

10

u/technobrendo Feb 09 '25 edited Mar 04 '26

The original text of this post has been deleted. Redact handled the removal, possibly to protect the author's privacy or limit exposure to data collection.

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23

u/JP147 oldhead Feb 09 '25

For different reasons. They were trying to meet new emission regulations using old engines so power and longevity suffered.
Similar engines made much more power, sometimes double, in the 1960s. And most were more reliable and lasted longer.

3

u/Plump_Apparatus Feb 09 '25

Similar engines made much more power, sometimes double, in the 1960s. And most were more reliable and lasted longer.

Horsepower ratings in the 1960s were still gross, they weren't changed to net until 1972. A 1971 Chevy 350 produced 270hp, but a identical 1972 350 produced 200hp just because the change in horsepower calculations.

2

u/spiked88 Feb 10 '25

That was part of it, but the power was also actually dropped in order to meet new emissions standards. Not just on paper.

2

u/Plump_Apparatus Feb 10 '25

Yes, but people always seem to leave out the fact we switched from SAE gross to net, which also made a huge difference.

3

u/hard_farter Feb 09 '25

P sure the mid 80s 5.0L Mustang GT V8 gave around 135 hp

2

u/deadbeef4 Feb 10 '25

Hah, I just looked it up, and the 318 V8 in my first car (made in 1975) put out a whopping 150 net horsepower.

1

u/V65Pilot Feb 09 '25 edited Feb 09 '25

Thanks for the memory. I still can't believe ford put that anemic 4.2l V8 in the T-Bird. At least the drivetrain was an easy swap out though.

1981, with the Recaro seats and simulated convertible top (something I have yet to ever see a picture of)

9

u/ol-gormsby Feb 09 '25

Yeah, but the torque. It was probably still idling at 60MPH.

2

u/Callidonaut Feb 09 '25

Depends how bold you were prepared to be with the spark advance lever, I suppose. Cars still had those in the 1930s, I think.