17 Great European Cars Featuring American Engines
European design is known for finesse, precision, and a certain flair. American engines, on the other hand, are all about brute force, big blocks, and “more horsepower, please.” So, what happens when you shove one into the other? You get automotive fusion at its finest. i.e. cars with the soul of a continent and the grunt of Detroit steel.
These 17 Euro beauties packed American muscle under their bonnets, and the results were often thrilling, occasionally chaotic, but never boring.
1. AC Cobra (Shelby Cobra)
Britain’s AC Ace met America’s Ford V8, and history was made. Carroll Shelby’s idea to cram a 289 (and later, a 427) Ford engine into a lightweight British chassis gave us a car that could outrun Ferraris and scare the wits out of seasoned drivers.
The Cobra wasn’t just fast. The Cobra was raw, loud, and legendary.
2. Jensen Interceptor
With a name fit for a Cold War thriller, this West Bromwich GT married sleek British lines to Chrysler’s brawny V8s, from 383 to 440 cubic inches.
It cruised with the poise of a gentleman and the roar of a muscle car. Dependable Dodge grunt ensured it could tour Europe without a hitch, blending charm with raw speed.
3. De Tomaso Pantera
Italian styling by Ghia, an American heart courtesy of Ford’s 351 Cleveland V8. What’s not to love? The Pantera blended exotic looks with a thundering soundtrack and enough torque to turn every on-ramp into a moment.
Ford even sold it in Lincoln-Mercury dealerships, because why not?
4. Iso Grifo
Designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro and powered by Chevrolet small-blocks (and eventually, big-blocks), the Grifo was a lesser-known gem of 1960s Italy.
It offered Italian luxury and handling with the bulletproof reliability of a Corvette engine. A Ferrari lookalike that didn’t need a priest every time the check engine light flickered.
5. Bristol 407
Bristol ditched BMW roots for Chrysler’s V8 punch in the 407, crafting a refined British tourer with serious kick. Its understated shell hid a beast that surged past expectations.
Polite? Sure. But this gent could sprint when the mood struck.
6. Monteverdi High Speed 375
Built in Switzerland (yes, really) and featuring Chrysler V8 power, the High Speed 375 was like a Swiss watch powered by a sledgehammer.
It looked like a Maserati but packed Mopar thunder under the hood. Rare, elegant, and surprisingly aggressive.
7. Gordon-Keeble GK1
Only 100 or so were ever made, but this British GT car with an American heart still draws attention. It was powered by a Chevy 327 V8 and could hit 140 mph while carrying four adults in comfort.
Oh, and the company’s mascot? A tortoise. Talk about irony.
8. Facel Vega HK500
France’s Facel Vega HK500 fused Gallic elegance with a Chrysler 383’s relentless torque. It cruised like a yacht but sprinted like a dragster, no compromises.
Elvis was a fan. Need we say more?
9. Bizzarrini 5300 GT Strada
Giotto Bizzarrini, Ferrari 250 GTO alum, sculpted this Italian coupe around a Corvette 327 V8. Its aluminum body and straightforward mechanics delivered blistering speed with less fuss than its peers.
A collector’s dream, it’s a rare Italo-American blend of beauty and brawn.
10. Qvale Mangusta
Not to be confused with the De Tomaso Mangusta, this early-2000s oddball was a funky fusion of Italian design and Ford’s modular 4.6L V8 from the Mustang Cobra. Built with help from Alejandro de Tomaso and styled by Marcello Gandini, it featured a quirky “roto-top” roof and excellent performance.
While its looks divided opinions, its American engine delivered reliable thrills, rare for an Italian sports car of its era.
11. Sunbeam Tiger
Take a quaint British roadster, the Sunbeam Alpine, and squeeze in a Ford 260 (and later, a 289) V8. Boom, you’ve got the Sunbeam Tiger. Carroll Shelby helped engineer it, which explains why this tiny roadster packed a surprising punch.
It could outrun much bigger cars and was a favorite among those who liked their tea served at 120 mph.
12. Bitter CD
Erich Bitter’s German GT borrowed a Chevy 327 V8 from the Opel Diplomat, wrapped in Frua’s elegant lines. It echoed Maserati’s grace but hauled like a muscle car.
A niche marvel, it proved even Deutschland could embrace Detroit’s raw energy.
13. Matra Djet V8 Prototype
While most production Matras were powered by modest French engines, there was once a prototype version of the Djet powered by a Ford V8.
Though it never made it into full production, it showed that even the most avant-garde French sports cars were tempted by the allure of American muscle.
It would have been an absolute riot had it hit the streets.
14. De Tomaso Longchamp
Another Italian creation powered by Ford’s 351 Cleveland V8, the Longchamp was a luxury coupe aimed at the likes of Mercedes and Maserati.
It had a square, no-nonsense design and a meaty growl, making it something of an underdog grand tourer. Despite low production numbers, it became a cult favorite for those in the know.
15. Opel GT V8 Prototype
Dubbed the “baby Corvette,” the Opel GT got a wild upgrade when GM slipped a small-block Chevy V8 into a 1960s prototype.
Too fierce for its frame, it never saw production, but its legend lingers. A lone survivor, this pocket rocket teases what could’ve been.
16. Monteverdi Safari
Take an International Harvester Scout, drape it in Swiss-crafted bodywork, and add a Chrysler V8. The Monteverdi Safari was a plush off-roader with leather and power galore.
Ahead of its time, it tackled trails with the swagger of a grand tourer.
17. Iso Rivolta IR 300
Iso’s Rivolta IR 300, a four-seater GT, paired a Chevy 327 V8 with Italian finesse. It rivaled Ferrari’s elegance but swapped temperamental mechanics for Corvette dependability.
Quick and poised, it carved a path for Iso’s later hits.