Novi engine

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The Novi engine was a Dual Overhead Cam Supercharged V8 engine used in the Indianapolis 500. It was designed by Bud Winfield and built by Fred Offenhauser. The Novi was first used in 1941 under the "Winfield" name and produced over 450 hp, an amazing output for the time, but it was very difficult to handle.

After World War II, the Novi returned in 1946 with 510 horsepower (fitted in a more advanced Kurtis Kraft front-wheel-drive chassis) and performed beautifully, setting the track record and leading 44 laps in a car driven by Ralph Hepburn. Drivers such as Paul Russo and Duke Nalon later drove cars powered by the engine at notable speeds, but were unable to win. In 1949, Nalon's Novi figured in a memorable crash, in which leaking gasoline created a 'wall of fire' across one of the Speedway's banked turns.

The engine's crowd-pleasing 'shriek' of its supercharger unit became as legendary as its dangerous reputation, particularly after veterans Hepburn (in 1948) and Chet Miller (in 1953) both died in practice trying to control the overpowering vehicle. In addition, the engine's own power often caused it to break down prematurely, ending several promising victory chances.

After not being entered at the Indianapolis 500 in the last years of the 1950's, the Novi received its 'last hurrah' when colorful car owner Andy Granatelli purchased the rights to it. Granatelli's team put the crowd-attracting shrieking legend back into the race from 1961 to 1965, developing a 4-wheel-drive version in 1964 in an attempt to effectively harness the extreme power. Its notable drivers during this period were Jim Hurtubise, Art Malone, and Bobby Unser. The engine was last used at the race in 1966, when a qualifying crash finished its career.

Despite never powering a Championship Car race winner, few engines have become as much of a 'celebrity' in automobile racing as the Novi.