10 Times American Engines Powered Europe's Elite Sports Cars – TopSpeed

When it comes to European performance cars from the second half of the 20th century, those on the other side of the Atlantic had a way of artfully crafting some of the best silhouettes in the business. Regarding handling, the Italians and British could also lead the way and show the American brands how it was done.

But where US cars were sometimes more focused on the drag strip than taming the twisty roads and hairpins of the Alps, their engines arguably set the standard for power, torque, reliability, and charisma. The Chrysler Hemi V8 became an icon and was one of the best ways to fit a sexy sports car with ample power. Below, we’ll take a very brief look at some performance-oriented cars designed outside the US that turned to American engines in their pursuit of speed.

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10

De Tomaso Pantera

Average Used Value: $103,000

Specs

One of the more impressive underdogs of the supercar industry, the Italian-designed De Tomaso Pantera (Panther) separated itself from similar European rivals thanks to its American V8. Introduced at the 1970 New York Motor Show, it was powered initially by the Blue Oval’s Cleveland V8 and later the Windsor. At the time, Alejandro de Tomaso’s supercar was just what Ford was looking for – something to rival the Chevy Corvette – and a deal was hatched to sell this model through the brand’s Mercury/Lincoln dealers.

Upgraded for US tastes with luxuries like air conditioning (it also got hot in the cabin), Alejandro gave Ford an 84 percent stake and continued selling his cars in other markets. Thanks to the oil crisis in 1973, Ford gave up importing the Pantera by the end of 1974, but the machine was sold until the early ’90s with models continuing to improve over that time.

9

Iso Grifo

Average Used Value: $414,000

Specs

Produced from 1965 until around 1974, the Iso Grifo comes from the same origins as the famous Iso Isetta – a bubble car later built by BMW. Designed to take on the top European brands, the Grifo combined Italian style (composed by Bertone’s Giorgio Giugiaro), refinement, luxury, and the American V8 under its hood.

Engines ranged from the 5.4-liter Chevy V8 to the 7-liter Chevy big block and later the 7.4-liter big block. A Ford V8 (the 351 Boss engine) was also used temporarily. Built in two generations, from 1965-1969 and 1970-1974, only 400 were made. The second series is even more beautiful thanks to an elongated nose with partially covered headlamps.

8

Jensen Interceptor

Average Used Value: $49,000

Specs

The Jensen Interceptor is the most well-known model of a defunct British brand that started over 100 years ago. Jensen made specialist bodies for other brands as well as full models like this one. It was a powerful grand tourer, designed with luxury and speed in mind – at a price, of course. There was a first-generation Interceptor built during the 50s, technically making the Vignale-designed 1966 Interceptor a second generation of the nameplate. It was powered by two Chrysler V8s – initially by the low-deck ‘B-series’ (383) and later by the high-deck ‘RB’ (440). Production lasted until 1976 and the name was revived later with a small number of cars made under license.

7

AC Cobra

Average Used Value: $527,000

Specs

During the 50s and into the early 60s, British company AC Cars produced a sports car called the Ace, which was later the basis for the Shelby Cobra. The original Ace used a straight six engine that didn’t provide much power. Its supplier eventually stopped production of the Bristol engine and Shelby learned that the Ace would be ceasing production. This ended up in a deal where AC produced cars minus the engine and gearbox for Shelby to assemble with V8 engines.

Three original generations were produced of this English car with an American heart, from 1962 to 1967. A rarer 4.3-liter engine was used at the beginning and later the 4.7-liter ‘289’, as well as the 7.0-liter ‘427’. Cars were sold as the AC Cobra in Europe too. The iconic Cobra would be reproduced many times as part of continuation runs, and, of course, there are a plethora of replicas out there.

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6

Monteverdi High Speed

Average Used Value: $215,000

Specs

Swiss company Monteverdi produced a variety of luxury grand tourers and even an off-roader based on the International Scout. One of the models, the High Speed, was designed to take on the elite automakers such as Aston Martin and Ferrari with its speed, luxury, and exclusivity. There were various iterations of the High Speed, including the ‘375S’ – a two-door, the ‘375/4’ – a four-door, and the ‘375C’ – a convertible.

It lasted from 1967 to 1976, built in small numbers. The High Speed 375 got its name from its advertised output of 375 horsepower, but in reality, the cars made less. Two Chrysler V8s were used, a 7.0-liter and also a 7.2-liter. Monteverdi continued business up to the end of the 90s and its portfolio included a failed sports car called the Hai 450 SS.

5

Koenigsegg CCR

Average Used Value: $968,000

Specs

This application of an American engine is a little less obvious, but its engine’s origins are as American as they come. Based on the Ford Modular engine that powered the Ford Mustang and countless other models, the Koenigsegg CCR (the second model from the Swedish manufacturer) utilized a 4.7-liter, twin-turbo, custom version of the Ford unit, just like its predecessor, the CC8S.

All of this power went to the rear wheels via a manual transmission, making the CCR a car to be taken seriously, by those with serious budgets. Its interior is a spartan, racing-focused affair with close-set pedals and a huge sill to climb over to get inside. All in the name of speed.

4

Bristol Fighter

Average Used Value: $250,000

Specs

One of the very few instances of the Dodge Viper V10 being used by another manufacturer, a small British brand called Bristol designed a two-seat grand tourer/supercar to take on the best in the business. Bristol Cars can trace its origins back to World War II and aviation, but this car, built in 2004, was thoroughly modern. With gullwing doors, a focus on low drag, and the meaty engine up front, it promised to hit 200 mph and 60 mph on the way in a supposed 4.0 seconds (presuming you could be careful enough with the throttle). Very few were made and even fewer with the automatic transmission (maybe one example) – sources generally cite about 20 examples before the company was liquidated in 2011.

3

Ford Focus RS

Average Used Value: $34,000

Specs

The first two generations of the Ford Focus RS didn’t officially make it Stateside, but that changed in 2016. This hot hatch offers a spec sheet that still looks impressive today and indeed still offers more power and torque than anything in its class, including the current Honda Civic Type R. A manual transmission was standard for the RS and this all-wheel drive hatch could hit 60 mph in under five seconds. Under the hood is the Ford EcoBoost engine which also powered the contemporary four-cylinder Mustang, although the pony car made less power and torque than the Ford Focus RS. Although the 2.3-liter EcoBoost wasn’t an American engine per se, it powered mostly US models.

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2

Facel Vega

Average Used Value: $122,000

Specs

Launched at the 1954 Paris Auto Salon, the Vega, produced by French brand Facel, has earned a reputation as one of the more impressive vehicles of the period thanks to its potent American engines. Up to 360 horsepower was eventually available for the later iterations. The ‘FV’ range began in ’54 and the model range continued until ’62. A wide range of Chrysler V8 engines were used for the lineup over its lifetime. Such speed (60 mph in as little as eight seconds and a near-150 mph top speed) and elegance made the Facel Vega a legend and examples are not cheap today.

1

Sunbeam Tiger

Average Used Value: $59,000

Specs

Despite its dainty British looks and the fact that this could be mistaken for a Triumph Spitfire, the convertible Sunbeam Tiger packed reasonable heat under its hood. Combining archetypal European sports car looks with an American V8 is a tried-and-tested method that once again worked well in the case of the Tiger. Like many other models on this list, the Sunbeam Tiger hails from a defunct and slightly obscure brand, in this case, the Rootes Group.

Based on the less powerful Sunbeam Alpine, a large part of the design and a prototype were made by Caroll Shelby (who desired to build the car on license in the US). The new car would inherit a Ford V8. In the end, Shelby wasn’t selected to produce the model. Instead, the company chose Jensen; the same brand that made the Interceptor. The Rootes Group was eventually saved by Chrysler, who didn’t keep the project going, especially as it used a Ford engine. Less than 6,500 were made from ’64-’67 when a short second generation was produced with a 4.7-liter engine. Chrysler Europe’s operations ceased in the 70s and today the Sunbeam Tiger remains an interesting and short-lived sports car that could have been a Shelby Cobra sibling.