Leyland Eight

Leyland Eight
1921 Leyland Eight four-seater tourer
Overview
ManufacturerLeyland Motors
Production1920–1923
18 made[1]
DesignerJ.G. Parry-Thomas
Body and chassis
ClassGrand tourer
Powertrain
Engine6.9–litre OHC Straight-8
7.3–litre OHC Straight-8
Transmission4–speed
Dimensions
Wheelbase141 in (3,600 mm)
150 in (3,800 mm)
126 in (3,200 mm) (speed model)[2]
A 1927 Leyland Eight, with sports bodywork

The Leyland Eight or Straight Eight was a luxury car produced by Leyland Motors from 1920 to 1923.[3]

The car was designed by the chief engineer of Leyland Motors, J.G. Parry-Thomas and his assistant Reid Railton, and was intended to be the finest car available.[4] It was the first British car with a straight-eight engine and Leyland managing director Henry Spurrier II (d.1942) told the company's board that it was better than a Rolls-Royce in every respect.[5][3] The Eight was introduced to the public at the 1920 International Motor Exhibition at Olympia, London, where it was referred to as the "Lion of Olympia".[5][6]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference AZ1920 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference AutomobileMay07 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ a b Turner, Graham (1971). The Leyland Papers. London: Eyre & Spottiswoode. pp. 16, 18, 30. ISBN 0413280209.
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference Beaulieu was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ a b Cite error: The named reference HistomobileLeyland was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference WelshMotorSport was invoked but never defined (see the help page).