Noun
straight eight (plural straight eights)
Alternative form of straight-eight
(engineering, automotive) An engine with eight cylinders in one line or row.
(automotive) A vehicle, usually a large car, with an engine of this kind.
Source: en.wiktionary.orgstraight-eight
After the more compact V8 replaced the straight-eight engine in 1953 this difference in chassis length was no longer needed. Source: Internet
Oldsmobile once again was a pioneer when, for the 1949 model, they introduced their Rocket engine, which used an overhead valve V8 design rather than the flathead " straight-eight " design which prevailed at the time. Source: Internet