The End Of An Era - GM Cuts The Rat Motor

When the clock on the office wall reads 4:54, gearheads never think "quitting time", gearheads always think "Rat Motor". And if you happen to have one sitting in the parking lot under your office window, patiently waiting your lead foot, then you are very lucky.

That's because the 454 Rat Motor was one of Chevy 's biggest engines. These were "big block" monsters, ranging from 396 to a massive 496 cubic inch displacement.

They were meant for trucks, motor homes and even boats, but they quickly found their way into blisteringly fast street cars of every type.

They've been known since hot-rodding time immemorial as "Rat Motors".

Now the Rats are no more. GM has stopped production.