The Buick aluminum V8, introduced in 1961, was a groundbreaking engine that brought advanced materials and compact design into mainstream American automotive engineering. Displacing 215 cubic inches (3.5 liters), this all-aluminum V8 weighed just over 300 pounds—significantly lighter than traditional cast-iron engines—while producing up to 200 horsepower in high-performance variants. It was standard or optional in GM’s new senior compact cars: the Buick Special, Oldsmobile F-85, and Pontiac Tempest. The engine used a 90-degree layout, five main bearings, and a relatively high 10.25:1 compression ratio, showcasing Buick’s engineering ambition at the time.
Though it was only produced in the U.S. from 1961 to 1963, the 215 V8’s influence lasted far longer. In 1965, GM sold the rights and tooling to the Rover division of the British Leyland Motor Corporation, where the engine would enjoy a second, much longer life. Under Rover, the 215 V8 powered everything from Land Rovers and Range Rovers to sports cars like the Triumph TR8 and MGB GT V8, remaining in production for decades. The Buick 215 not only pushed American automakers toward lighter, more efficient engine designs, but also established a legacy as one of the most successful and versatile aluminum engines in automotive history.
