Depends on your definition of "work". I accidentally started a H-D panhead by turning the engine over by hand with the key on. Why unusual? Because there was no carburetor at all - but there was enough residual gas in the manifold for it to fire.
My dad rented his body shop from the local Ford dealer. Once at the Ford dealer somebody removed a carb from a car, to be rebuilt the next day. That next morning somebody had to move said vehicle and jumped in and started it, not knowing there was no carb on the car. The fuel line connection was left pointing at the intake manifold opening - it lit off and away it went! Revved to the moon.
FORD 300 inline six - THE BEST KEPT SECRET IN DRAG RACING!
