10 Cars that Capture the Ageless Spirit of Chevy's V-8

[6] 1966 Chevrolet Chevy II
327 cid; 350 horsepower
Power to weight may be the most important specification when determining performance potential. While the 1966 Chevy II may appear to be a simple slab-sided compact, by selecting the L-79 small-block engine option, your "SS" achieved star status, a harbinger of the yet-to-be-released Camaro. Rated at 350 horsepower, the hot-performing 327cid engine transformed the SS Chevy II into one of the quickest hot-rod Chevys to date. Without a doubt, the L-79 SS Chevy II was the sleeper of the Chevy range.

[7] 2006 LS7 Corvette Z06
427.6 cid; 500 horsepower
No Chevrolet has ever delivered 500 showroom ready horsepower--until now. The fact that the small-block is the engine to attain that mark is only fitting. That it's handbuilt and carefully constructed by the most highly trained assemblers ever to create an OEM-delivered engine is only right. Appropriately, the new LS7 engine retains its links to the past 50 years of small-block evolution, incorporating critical components such as overhead valves, rocker arms, and pushrods. Best of all, the newest small-block will power the most advanced Corvette ever built, the new Z06. True exoticar performance will now not only be affordable, but serviceable at your local Chevrolet dealership.

[8] Cadillac CTS-v
346 cid; 400 horsepower
Cadillac is the General's performance car line. Of that there can be no argument. So it stands to reason the Cadillac CTS should have a small-block under its angular hood. As with so many small-block-motivated cars of the past, the CTS moves from fast to light speed courtesy of its 400-horse version and six-speed stick. But on top of the awe-inspiring straight-line performance, the small-block allows the CTS-v to stretch its limits in the corners using high-tech suspension design, appropriately rated springs and shocks, and a big brake package. As with so many cars that came before the CTS-v, dropping a small-block into the engine bay changes the vehicle from gentleman caller to backstreet brawler. Only this one can dance from danger in the corners, too.