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

[1] 1969 Camaro Z/28
302 cid; 290 horsepower
The 1969 Z/28 is probably the most fun small-block-powered car of all time. Built on the heels of Mark Donohue's success in 1968 SCCA Trans Am competition, the 1969 Z/28 became the beneficiary of an amazing array of factory-supplied race goodies. Buyers could order such exotic race parts as a transistorized ball-bearing distributor, tubular exhaust headers, a Duntov-designed "140" camshaft, fresh air cowl-induction hood and dealer-installed twin four-barrel Holley carburetors on a Winters cast-aluminum cross ram intake manifold. Knowledgeable (and lucky) Z/28 buyers could further equip their cars with four wheel disc brakes (Corvette style), special shocks and springs as well as close-ratio transmission gearing.
1969 Camaro Z/28 courtesy of corvettemike.com

[2] 1955 Corvette
265 cid; 195 horsepower
After Zora Arkus-Duntov's successful proving-ground test of a V-8 in 1953 Corvette #02, the plan was set in motion to create a small-block-powered Corvette for regular production. The 1955 Corvette was to revive sagging interest in the nearly stillborn car. The small-block's original 195-horse rating helped stir excitement for the Corvette and led to race-car development and historic Daytona Beach speed trials. Those lucky small-block Corvette owners reaped the rewards of 40 more horsepower and 41 pounds less weight than Blue Flame six-powered versions. The result was better handling and at least one more year of production for the original version of American's only true sports car.
1955 Corvette courtesy of George Ruiz