Here's why:
* Commercial Production: The Cadillac Type 51 was the first car with a V8 engine to be mass-produced and sold to the public.
* Engine Design: Cadillac's V8 engine was a groundbreaking design for its time, featuring a cast-iron block, a single overhead camshaft, and a 7.4-liter displacement.
* Performance: The Type 51 was considered a high-performance car for its time, boasting 70 horsepower and a top speed of 70 mph.
However, it's important to note that:
* Earlier Experiments: There were earlier attempts at creating V8 engines, including a 1902 car designed by the French engineer Léon Levavasseur and a 1908 prototype by the American engineer Henry Ford. These, however, were not commercially successful.
* Different Interpretations: Some sources might list other cars with V8 engines from the same era, like the 1914 Peerless Eight or the 1915 Ford Model T with a V8 engine. However, the Cadillac Type 51 is generally considered the first commercially successful car with a V8 engine.
Overall, the Cadillac Type 51 holds the title of the first widely available car with a V8 engine, marking a significant moment in automotive history.
