How much horsepower does a Ford Prefect have?
The horsepower of a Ford Prefect is not fixed; it varies by model year and engine. In general, early Prefects produced around 28–30 horsepower, while many postwar versions with larger engines delivered roughly 40 horsepower, with some variants edging into the mid-40s.
Historical range and engine basics
To understand the numbers, it helps to know that the Ford Prefect spanned several generations and engine sizes. The model began with smaller, early engines and evolved through the postwar era, when larger displacement engines were common. Exact horsepower depends on the specific year, market, and whether the car’s tuning followed factory specifications or regional adjustments.
Below is a concise breakdown by era to illustrate typical outputs. The figures are approximate gross horsepower published by typical catalogs and factory sheets; actual numbers can vary with condition, tuning, and testing method.
- 1938–1940: 933cc side-valve engine, approximately 28–30 hp.
- Postwar 1946–1953: 1,172cc (about 1.2L) engine, commonly around 38–40 hp.
- Mid-1950s onward: continued use of 1.2L/1.5L variants, with typical outputs in the 40–45 hp range depending on specification.
In short, the Prefect’s power evolved with its engine size and tuning, but most models fall into a band of roughly 28–45 horsepower across its long production run. For a precise figure, it’s best to identify the exact year and engine type of the specific car.
What factors influenced horsepower on the Prefect?
Several design and market factors affected the horsepower of different Prefect versions. Understanding these factors helps explain why numbers vary across models:
- Engine displacement (cc): larger engines generally produced more horsepower.
- Engine configuration and technology: older side-valve designs typically produced less power than later overhead-valve setups, all else equal.
- Compression ratio and carburetion: higher compression and more efficient carburetion can raise horsepower output.
- Market-specific tuning and tax rules: some markets tuned engines differently for reliability, fuel efficiency, or tax horsepower classifications.
These variables mean that even within the same generation, two Prefects can have different power figures depending on where and when they were built or tuned.
Summary
There is no single horsepower number for the Ford Prefect. Across its many years and variants, typical outputs ranged from about 28–30 hp in the earliest models to roughly 40–45 hp in many postwar configurations, with some variation by market and year. For enthusiasts or collectors, the most reliable figure comes from the specific year, engine size, and configuration of the individual car.
How much horsepower does a 1966 Ford GT40 427 have?
The cars arrived in basic form and Shelby's men added the 485-hp 427 engines and T44 4-speed transmissions especially designed and assembled by Kar Kraft; they also installed the interior and exterior trim, front body work (constantly being modified to reduce front lift), and Halibrand race wheels.
What is Ford's highest HP engine?
The highest horsepower Ford engine is the 5.2L supercharged V8 in the Ford Mustang GTD, with a confirmed 815 horsepower. Before the GTD, the most powerful street-legal production engine was the 760 hp 5.2L supercharged V8 in the 2020 Mustang Shelby GT500. For custom or crate engines, Ford's Megazilla 2.0 crate engine can produce over 1000 hp.
You can watch this video to learn more about the 7.3L Godzilla V8 engine: 51sGetty's GarageYouTube · Oct 2, 2025
Production engines
- Mustang GTD (2024): 815 hp from a 5.2L supercharged V8.
- Mustang Shelby GT500 (2020-2022): 760 hp from a 5.2L supercharged V8.
- F-150 Raptor R: 700 hp from a supercharged 5.2L V8.
Crate and custom engines
- Megazilla 2.0: Ford's Megazilla 2.0 crate engine can produce more than 1000 hp.
- Ford Motorsports 427: Ford Motorsports 427 engines, in some high-performance versions, were capable of producing up to 2,500 hp.
How fast could a 1932 Ford V8 go?
A stock 1932 Ford V8's top speed was around 76 to 85 mph, depending on the body style and minor factory updates. For example, one source lists the top speed at 76 mph, while another states 85 mph, highlighting the variability in performance for this popular and frequently modified car.
- Stock top speed: A standard 1932 Ford V8 had a top speed of about 76 mph, with some sources citing up to 85 mph.
- Factors for variation: The top speed could vary slightly based on the specific body style and minor improvements throughout the model year.
- Hot rod modifications: Due to the car's lightweight and powerful V8 engine, it became a popular choice for "hot rodders" who would modify them for even greater speed, far exceeding the stock top speed.
What is the top speed of the Ford Prefect?
73 mph
On test, The Motor magazine recorded a top speed of 73 mph (117 km/h) and acceleration from 0-60 mph (97 km/h) in 27.2 seconds.
