50 Reasons Why We Love It

24. For the soundtrack of our lives
Side exhaust or chambered, the small-block Chevy has given us rumbling performance we've all grown to know and love. Is there a cooler sound than Harrison Ford's 1955 in "American Graffiti"?

25. Craftsman Tools would've had to rely on router sales
Craftsman has sold millions of socket sets, end wrenches, and those distributor wrenches to small-block enthusiasts. Without the small-block, Bob Vila would've been exclusively building cedar decks, and roll-a-ways would've been referred to as a type of bed.

26. It introduced fuel-injection to America
In 1957, fuel-injection was an exotic induction system for race cars. But with the launch of the small-block fuelie, it became a marketing buzzword for an entire division. While early systems were crude compared with today's units, the Rochester mechanical fuel-injection system showed the public two things: that F.I. was reliable for street use and a terrific performance addition to your car.

27. It took on Ferrari, too
When industrialist Renzo Rivolta decided to build his own Ferrari-chasing luxury GT, the 1962 Iso Rivolta, he had the chassis developed by former Ferrari engineer Giotto Bizzarrini, the body styled by Bertone--and the 300 horses supplied courtesy of a Chevy small-block.

28. It kicked Ferrari's butt
You thought Magnum's Ferrari was cool, but the small-block-powered Corvette of that era kicked his Ferrari's butt in street performance.

29. It's how TV cops got to drive Ferraris
Don Johnson's "Miami Vice" Daytona replica was actually a small-block-powered Corvette in fiberglass Ferrari cladding. Not only did the "Miami Vice" transportation division save money by not having to repair a real Daytona convertible, it could easily find replacement parts if it broke down.

30. It created a generation
Small-block-powered Chevys were cool and made great chick magnets. Fill in the blanks.

31. Power-mad, fuel guzzling Americans Demanded It
What were we going to do--drive MG TFs?