The Tornado OHV Conversion was an overhead valve (OHV) upgrade for Ford flathead V8 engines, developed in the late 1940s by Lee Chapel of Lee’s Speed Shop in Oakland, California. This conversion replaced the original flathead cylinder heads with hemispherical combustion chamber heads, significantly improving airflow and increasing horsepower.
The Tornado OHV was capable of pushing a stock Mercury flathead engine to around 175 horsepower, while race-tuned versions running on nitromethane could exceed 300 horsepower. In 1950, a Tornado-equipped streamliner set a record at Bonneville, reaching 175 mph.
The Tornado OHV Conversion is rare today, cherished by collectors and hot rod enthusiasts for its role in early land speed racing and engine performance innovation.
The proud owner of Houston’s first Model A Ford shows off his purchase to friends downtown, 1928.
The Volkswagen Type 166, better known as the Schwimmwagen, shown with its canvas up and engine cover opened. The Schwimmwagen is a really cool amphibious car that was very popular among anyone who got their hands on one during the war. They had a smooth bottom, a boat-shaped body and a propeller at the rear. They were powered by a rear-mounted air-cooled boxer engine.
