You do realize that the current "Hemi" in the Dodges isn't really a Hemi in it's original sense, right? It is pretty much a marketing ploy. The heads and pistons do not even resemble the original Hemi design. In fact, (and I could be wrong here) I believe Dodge wasn't even the inventor of the Hemi design.

 

First produced in Europe in the 1910's. I'm not really sure what American car first offered an OHC engine. Ford offered a SOHC 427 engine in 1969, but for racing only. It was immediatly banned by NASCAR.


EDIT: Fred and Augie Duesenberg developed America's first OHC engine. It was a 4 cylinder, and used in the Roamer Special Sport around 1914. All Duesy's were OHC's. The term: "It's a Duesy" came from the Duesenberg. First Duesenberg car: 1921 Model A.


The Hemi is also European in origin.

The current Chrysler/Dodges are "semi" hemis.

And while we're at it: First monocoque (uni) body: 1925 Lancia D' Lambda

 

Yeppers, the "semi" Hemi issue has been covered here again and again.

 

Thanks Bill!

 

"Semi Hemi"...that's cute...lol reminds me of a friend of mine who used to drive Semis and always complained of Hemis (Hemmoroids)....lol

 

You would believe right...

I can't recall who invented it, I do know a company in Michigan first built a "Hemi headed" engine in 1903 (for industrial reasons) can't recall the name of the company, but I do know that GM bought them out in 1910 (I think?), but its first automotive use was on the 1912 Peugeot Grand Prix car. (Delage also used it later in the same year).
In fact pretty much every major auto manufacturer has (or had departments) which have used it.
Porsche, Jaguar, Bristol, Toyota, Ford...


Doesn't really seem that special any more does it???

I don't know if Fiat were with OHC - I know they were with DOHC... 1912.
Peugeot implemented it on thier "Hemi" Grand Prix cars a year later...

 

Even though I know you're kinda messin' around, we won't get into who originated the compact pickup.

And with all this hoopla over this new found technology concerning boxed frame rails, please note '66-'77 Broncos had boxed frames; and ALL Toy trucks had them untill the 1st generation Tundra......I know, I know, they weren't HYDROFORMED boxed frame rails and that's why they've all failed


[BTW, I bought the 1st year Ranger, 1983...had to wait a bit for the 2.8L German V6 and 5 speed Mitsubishi transmission, it still ranks as one of the toughest trucks I've ever owned(c-channel frame and all)....it took nearly as much abuse as my kid's '02 Ranger...you know, the one with the Mazda transmission!!! ]

 

Hmm, it wasn't Ford, nor Chevy..not Dodge either, nor was it Toyota or even GMC. Who's left?

Did you say Datsun?

BINGO!

Before Toyota, Datsun (Nissan) was once the largest selling Japanese import in the US, mostly because of their compact pickup, which created a sensation when first imported in 1959.

 

It's extremely simple really! If they were mechanically the same the recalls should be identical as well, and they aren't. End of discussion for me! Feel free to get the last word.

If you doubt it and think I need to explain how a taco is a copy of a Ranger, what's the use!?! Granted they aren't as identical as they were in the 90's, but toy definitely copied off the Ranger. Again, feel free to have the last word, but you won't change what I see!

 

Well, kinda technically Ford of Australia was. In 1934, they created the first coupe utility:

 

Dude, you are illustrating your lack of knowledge about GM trucks with this garbage. I do not know if they have unique recall data, and if they do, I do not know why, but let me assure you. The Silvys and the Sierras are IDENTICAL trucks in every way except cosmetic sheet metal variances and a few trim variances. Even the sheetmetal, though cosmetically different, are interchangeable, meaning you could take the body panels off a chevy and mount them to a GMC chassis with no mods req'd. they are built on the same assembly lines using the same equipment and the same parts.

 

Well kinda technically isn't quite true. A Ute is not the same as a mini (compact) truck...terminology wise, anyway. Beginning around 1912, aftermarket companies began selling a pickup bed that fit where the turtledeck was located on Model T roadsters. So kinda technically, even tho aftermarket, The T gets the credit. Studebaker in 1937/39 built a model called the Coupe-Express, basically the first truck with an integral bed ..as least here in the US.

 

Nothing is really new when it comes to automobiles. Push button transmissions, big news in the 1950's, but Premiere had one in 1917. Tilt wheel? Around since the 1910's. Hydraulic brakes? Stutz was the first..except instead of mineral spirits, (brake fluid), they used H2O! Didn't work too well when the brakes got hot. Power steering? Pierce-Arrow in 1927...people were scared of it...no road feel. Auto transmissions? Reo self shifter of 1931, 9 yrs before Hydramatic. Since Model T's had planetary transmissions, wouldn't the T get the credit for the first auto? Power brakes? Yesterdays news, not 1951, go back 20 years. IRS = De Dion Bouton turn of the (last) century. Paddles on the steering wheels? Pre-select gearbox, Cord 810, 1936. There's more...but this'll do for now.

 

This must where the El Camino or I believe the Torino orginated from.

 

HUH?? (sigh) El Camino? &^%$^!!

Smiggy, the Ranchero was first...in 1957. No El Caminos till 1959.

The Torino was launched in 1968. It replaced the Fairlane model name on the upscale models. The lower priced model still carried the Fairlane name. Within 3 years, the Fairlane name was gone.


What does the name Fairlane refer to?


Fairlane was the name Henry Ford gave to his estate in Dearborn.