Leyland Eight
| Leyland Eight | |
|---|---|
1921 Leyland Eight four-seater tourer | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Leyland Motors |
| Production | 1920–1923 18 made |
| Designer | J.G. Parry-Thomas |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Grand tourer |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 6.9–litre OHC Straight-8 7.3–litre OHC Straight-8 |
| Transmission | 4–speed |
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 141 in (3,600 mm) 150 in (3,800 mm) 126 in (3,200 mm) (speed model) |
The Leyland Eight or Straight Eight was a luxury car produced by Leyland Motors from 1920 to 1923.
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. 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. 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".