For many gearheads only American muscle will do, often leading to a reduced choice of cars. Or does it? In reality, it’s surprising how many foreign cars use American engines.
Some of the best foreign cars wouldn’t be as successful without a V8 or V10 engine under the hood. While Ferrari honed its V12 engines, other makers turned to lazier, cheaper, or more powerful Fordor GM units. It wasn’t a corner-cutting exercise, but a way for smaller marques to compete on equal terms.
Even today “crate” engines are commonly used by low-volume manufacturers to stunning effect. TVR, famous noisemaker and soon-to-be resurrected sports carmaker is a prime example. While we’re still waiting for the new Griffith, it is now known, Ford will be providing the car’s beating heart. Only time will tell if it’s a smart move, but with 500+ hp mooted, we’re sure gearheads are in for a treat.
How many of the following foreign cars did you know had American muscle lurking under the hood?
10/10 Bristol Fighter S
Kicking off with the Bristol Fighter, a Brit bruiser with a secretive background. Produced from 2004-2011 in low numbers that even the factory isn’t sure how many cars exist.
Despite its quirky British nature, the Fighter and later S spec cars, owe their success to the U.S. car industry. For under the hood of the weird and rare British coupe is a V10 engine lifted from the Viper. In later cars, Bristol even bolted on a turbocharger ramping output up to 1,012 hp.
9/10 Ultima Evo
Taking a different path, the Ultima Evo range comes in kit form with some assembly required. On U.S. shores, gearheads get to play with the intricacies of a steel chassis and composite body.
As for the oily and interesting bits, Ultima supplies a choice of engines ranging from 480 to 1,020 hp. Despite the insane power figures, all are GM LS units including 6.2-liter LS3s and 7.0-liter LS7 engines.
8/10 Ariel Atom 500 V8
Every gearhead has heard of the astonishing Ariel Atom. More so with the swap to turbocharged Honda engines in the latest Atom 4. But, go back to the bonkers Atom 500 V8 and Ariel used a custom 3.0-liter V8 engine made up of two motorbike engines.
With 500 hp on tap, the Atom bordered on time-shifting speeds hitting 60 mph in 2.2 seconds. But, how does the Atom 500 fit the American muscle claim? The mill might be two fused engines, but it was Milwaukee-based John Hartley who made it work.
7/10 Koenigsegg CC8S
Sweden’s most famous automotive export Koenigsegg has become the stuff of legends, largely due to insanely fast cars packing some innovative engineering solutions. Among these are smaller more efficient engines and single-speed transmissions.
It wasn’t always this way. In Koenigsegg’s formative years, the CC8S made good use of a supercharged 4.6-liter Ford modular V8. At the time, Koenigsegg was still finding its feet, even so, the CC8S was a proper 200+ mph supercar.
6/10 De Tomaso P72
If you’re reading this before the end of 2022, the chances are De Tomaso has begun P72 production. First unveiled publicly in 2019, the P72 is an homage to the Italian carmakers racing past.
From nose to tail, the P72 is every inch and Italian thoroughbred sculpted in carbon fiber. But, you won’t find a raucous Italian engine under the hood. Instead, Ford’s supercharged Coyote V8 sends 700 hp to the rear wheels and should deliver a top speed of 221 mph.
5/10 Mazzanti Evantra
Another supercar maker in Italy clamoring for gearhead’s cash. Mazzanti Automobile came into being in 2002 followed by Evantra in 2013. Since the cars’ birth, several updated models have emerged with up to 1,106 hp.
Boasting big performance numbers is a sign of a hybrid powertrain right? Wrong! Like other niche sportscar makers, the Evantra makes use of American muscle. Several in reality are with LS7 and LT2 mills filling the central engine bay.
4/10 AC 378 GT Zagato
Several comebacks and failures have blotted AC Cars’ reputation. Yet, in 2012, things look set to change with the Zagato-styled AC 378 GT. Oddly, for such a prestigious Italian name, final assembly took place in South Africa.
In all, a mere 15 AC 378s found buyers, each fitted with GM LS3 V8 engines. The Italian name, U.S. muscle, and assembled elsewhere make the AC 378 GT something of a chimera. At least the car’s performance figures were honest with a top speed of 185 mph.
3/10 HSV Maloo GTS-R
Take a trip down under and the Ute rules the domestic performance market. Now we know what you’re thinking; it’s just a truck, right? Yes. That is until you peek under the hood and spy a supercharged Gen IV LSA mill.
Bestowed with 545 ft-lbs of torque and 583 hp, the Maloo GTS-R is fast enough for farmers and gearheads alike.
2/10 Iso Grifo
And the Italian masters keep coming. The Iso Grifo launched in 1965 wearing a Bertone body that morphed over its production life.
However, regular changes weren’t limited to the car’s styling. Pop the hood and you’ll find any number of engine combinations. Options included Chevrolet small-block V8s before introducing a Ford 351 option for 1972.
1/10 Rover P5
Last up, Rover’s P5B sedan. In reality, you could also include the P6 and dozens of TVRs and Land Rovers for this one. Different cars and niches, but all with a common theme.
By chance Rover on a trip to the U.S. stumbled across a Buick-designed and re-invented boat engine. This chance finding gave rise to one of the most commonly used V8 engines in Britain. Built under license, the Buick/Rover V8 remained in production until 2004. As the V8 engined P5B, it became a favorite among the royal family and several prime ministers.
Sources: Holden, Ariel, RoverP5, De Tomaso