Happy 70th Birthday, Small Block Chevy!

The 1955 Chevrolet was a complete ‘clean sheet’ makeover from the 1954 models: All-new, modern styling with panoramic windshield, 12 volt electrical system, ball joint front suspension, better brakes, and the introduction of the ‘Turbo-Fire’ V8 with up to 180 horsepower on tap. How could GM know that this 265 c.i. motor would be so successful that it would live on in various configurations for decades? Even Zora Arkus-Duntov would swear that the Chevy eight saved the Corvette from the chopping block in ’55 and turned it into a real sports car. Hot rodders and speed shops responded immediately as this light, efficient, compact powerhouse replaced the iconic Flathead as the dominant V8 mill seemingly overnight. By 1957, the Chevrolet 283 ‘small block’ with fuel injection was making an astounding 1 horsepower per cubic inch (283hp!), when the majority of American V8 (including others from GM) were making less power with larger displacements. Happy 70th, SBC!