The Chevy K5 Blazer is often credited ... including an optional four-barrel 350-cubic-inch (5.7-liter) small-block V8 that sent 255 horsepower and 355 lb-ft of torque to the wheels via either ...
The first-gen Chevy Camaro Z/28, built from 1967 through 1969, was a standout in the heyday of the Trans-Am race series.
Almost every classic-era ride was sold with a less-gargantuan engine, and in fact, it was the small-block V-8s that dominated the times, not necessarily off the line, but in sheer volume of sales.
In 1955, Chevrolet chief engineer Ed Cole introduced the world to the small-block Chevy V-8. His revolutionary design was the perfect recipe to satisfy a domestic market ravenous for attainable speed.