When celebrating automotive anniversaries, most people make a beeline for the cars introduced in a given year. Usually there are giants that capture the imagination and others that rule the market, and this year is no exception. But there’s a lot more to it than cars. For 2012, we also celebrate one of the most important engines of all time — the Flathead Ford V-8.

80th Anniversary

Ford Model 18 V-8
Few cars have made more of an impact on America than the Ford V-8. The 1932 Ford was an evolution of its Model A predecessor, with solid axles and leaf spring front and rear, and a three-speed manual transmission. The real reason to celebrate was the flat-head V-8 under the clam-shell hood. At 221 cubic inches and making a modest 65 horsepower, that engine literally changed the world and became the engine of preference for American cars through the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s. Favored by gangsters and hot rodders alike, it spawned an entire culture and speed-equipment industry.
Number built: 287,285; Price today: $1,000-$91,000 for a stock example.

50th Anniversary

Shelby Cobra
With kit cars seemingly on every corner, the A.C. or Shelby Cobra is the most imitated car of all time. Introduced in 1962 after American racing driver Carroll Shelby dropped a lightweight American V-8 into the British A.C. Ace, the Cobra is one of the most iconic of all cars. The first Cobras were powered by a high-output version of Ford’s 260 cid pushrod V-8 rated at 260 horsepower. The Cobra carried over the tubular chassis, independent front and rear suspension and alloy body from the Ace. Out of the box, the Cobra was wickedly quick and very successful in racing. Before long it gained rack-and-pinion steering and a 289 version of the Ford mill. It eventually evolved into the wide-hipped, coil sprung 427 Cobra.
Number built: 75 260 Cobras/655 289 Cobras; Price today: $413,000-$680,000 for 260/289 Cobras.

Lotus Elan
In many ways, the Lotus Elan was a game-changer. Lotus founder and designer Colin Chapman adopted a sturdy but light backbone frame with fully independent suspension, disc brakes and Lotus’ own twin cam four — based on a Ford pushrod unit — underneath a shapely fiberglass shell. Beautiful and diminutive, the Elan was very light and very quick. Although fragile, the car was brilliant and could out handle virtually anything else on wheels. Years later it proved a major inspiration for the Mazda team that developed the Miata. Number built: approximately 8,579-9,056; Price today: $9,000-$30,600.

Ferrari 250 GTO
From the moment it was first released in 1962, the GTO was a weapons-grade competition tool, with Ferrari’s three-liter, single overhead camshaft V-12. Very fast, remarkably rugged and virtually invincible in the GT class, GTOs were successful in many hands, including those of Graham Hill, Lucien Bianchi, Mike Parkes, and even stock car great Fireball Roberts. Today, they are among the most revered and most coveted machines, with prices to match.
Number built: 39; Price today: $15.4 million-$28 million

MGB
Although most people think of the MGB as a 1963 model, this ubiquitous sports car entered production mid-year 1962. Combining the well-proven running gear of the popular MGA with a larger 1798 cc pushrod four in an all new unibody tub, no one imagined it would remain in production for 18 years. Handsome, comfortable and offering good all-around performance, until the advent of the Mazda Miata (MX5), no single car introduced more people to the joys of sports cars. The popular roadster was joined by the pretty B/GT in late 1965. Despite being a modestly priced machine, the MGB proved successful in rallying and racing. Many are still found today in SCCA and vintage racing series, but even more can be seen at car shows and club meets across the land.
Number built: 513,272; Price today: $2,600-$30,000

Triumph Spitfire
When Triumph introduced its new entry-level sports car for 1962, it had a lot going for it. Most notable was the gorgeous shape by Italian master Giovanni Michelotti. Unlike its competitor, the MG Midget, the diminutive Spitfire had a larger 1,147cc engine, fully independent suspension for a suppler ride, front disc brakes and roll-up windows. The Spitfire immediately outsold the MG Midget and its Austin-Healey Sprite Twin. It also took to the track as befitting any true sports car. By the time production ended in mid-1980, the Spitfire had been visually updated and had gone through several displacement increases, finally reaching 1,500ccs. In a stunning victory of sorts, it retained its lithe good looks, while its old Midget rival gained unsightly rubber bumpers and adopted the Spitfire engine and transmission.
Number Built: 313,732; Price today:  $2,600-$16,100.

45th Anniversary

Chevrolet Camaro
Introduced for the 1967 model year, the Camaro hurried to market to compete with Ford’s wildly successful Mustang. Like the Mustang, the Camaro could be configured for any budget or buyer. At the low end, this sporty coupe or convertible came with a straight-six and three on the tree. Engine choices included 302 and 327 cid versions of the small block, a 396 big block and, ultimately, 427 cid V-8s that made serious horsepower. In Z-28 trim with a tuned 302 cid engine, for two seasons, dark blue and yellow Sunoco Camaros ruled the Trans Am series with Mark Donahue and Roger Penske, while big-block versions thundered through the quarter-mile and on streets throughout the country. Today, the Camaro remains one of America’s best-loved cars ever.
Number built: 44,917 for model year 1967; Price today: $14,600-$470,000.