Meet the Grandfather of the All-Aluminum 377 SBC: the 427 ZL-1, the 430 Can-Am, and the LS-Series Engines: The Mighty Allison V-12 Aircraft Engine
The story of Zora Arkus-Duntov’s all-aluminum 377 racing engine begins twenty-five years before Harley Earl conceived of a Chevrolet sports car while attending the 1951 Watkins Glenn Grand Prix. First, we need to look at the mighty Allison V-1710 aircraft engine.
Harley Earl wasn’t personally interested in sports cars, but he clearly saw the enthusiasm and passion from the attendees. His conclusion launched the entire Corvette experience. Image Credit: GM Archives
The roots of the Allison Engine Company date back to 1904, when James Allison, Percy C. Avery, and Carl Fisher formed the Acetylene Company. They made acetylene headlights for automobiles. By 1919, the Fisher Brothers (“Body By Fisher” coach-builders) sold 60% of the company to General Motors.
During the 1920s, Allison designed and developed various engines for aircraft use. By 1926, GM bought the rest of the company, but the economic downfall of the Depression put engine development on hold. However, Allison didn’t stop working; “on paper” they designed a V-12 engine that would become the mighty Allison V-1710, V-12 aircraft engine.
Through the 1950s and 1960s, it seemed that Army Surplus was everywhere. At bargain basement prices, the public could buy military Jeeps, biplanes, and even giant aircraft engines.
Allison pitched the V-1710 engine to the United States Army, but they passed. The Navy started ordering Allison’s V-1710 engines for their airships (aka, dirigible). After the crash of the USS Macon in 1935 and the Hindenburg in 1937, interest in airships went to zero
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