The Beast of Turin Fiat S76

[Ms Tree]

It's a 28 liter 4 cylinder engine built in 1911 for the land speed record.  Overhead cams, dual sparks, 4 valves per cylinder and t puts out over 300 hp .... back in 1911.  The guy pulling the crank is one brave SOB. 
 
http://youtu.be/BfYbH7926gk

 

[777 fixer]

And if you crashed that engine would probably end up in your lap.

 

[Ms Tree]

Safety was not a huge concern back then.  Not to worry, they had that covered.  The driver would be ejected (no seat belts) from the car and suffer major brain trauma (no helmets) long before the engine ever came to rest in his lap.  They were thinking ahead.