Car feature facing the axe for 50 years

Rolls-Royce initiated the automotive V8 era in 1905 with a 3.5-litre, 90-degree side‑valve V8 that powered the Landaulette par Excellence and the Legalimit. The Legalimit’s speed governor capped at 20 mph, with a higher setting offering 42 km/h for thrill-seekers, but the model itself was a commercial flop and was bought back by the factory. Nevertheless, the V8 concept proved enduring, shaping engineering across the industry over the next 121 years. The narrative then traces key milestones: De Dion-Bouton and Cadillac’s early experiments, Ford’s Flathead V8 in 1932, and GM’s 1955 small‑block V8, which would ultimately total more than 113 million units produced.