Diesels can run backwards by accident sometimes, setting fire to the intake air filter with the reversed hot exhaust gases. I'd guess this may be restricted to 2-stroke diesels like the Detroit.
I first encountered this "fun fact" in the Taiwan DMV ""Mechanical Knowledgee"" test which I took by accident, thinking I needed it for a Taiwan car drivers license.
Its apparently only required for truck drivers.
Would have been tough to pass since I have some mechanical knowledge and understanding, a severe handicap for any Taiwan test. About a third of Q+A were utter BS, but this is merely obscure.
The Messerschmit and Bond 3-wheelers had reversible engines instead of a reverse gear, giving them top gear in reverse, which must have been scary.