Chevy Wishes The Small-Block V8 A Happy 70th Birthday

Chevrolet is celebrating the 70th anniversary of its small-block V8 engine, a milestone for one of the brand’s most iconic powerplants.

Scratch that—never mind Chevrolet's most iconic engine, try America's, maybe even one of the world's most iconic engines. First introduced in 1954 for the 1955 model year, the small-block has powered generations of Chevy Trucks, starting with the 1955 Task Force pickups and the limited-edition Cameo Carrier.

Since its introduction, the small-block has gone on to power countless sedans, coupes, wagons, and vans—including nameplates like the Camaro and Corvette, along with several wild front-wheel-drive V8-powered models. Chevrolet estimates it has produced 113 million small-block V8 engines, spanning five engine generations.

Today, Chevy's 2025 Silverado 1500 carries on the tradition of the small-block V8’s enduring power with its 6.2L V8 engine. Its 420 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque make it the most powerful naturally aspirated V8 in its class.

This year, General Motors also invested $854 million to support the production of the sixth-generation small-block V8 across multiple facilities in Michigan, Ohio, and New York. The upcoming Gen Six small block aims to push the boundaries of both power and efficiency, showing Chevrolet’s commitment to advancing this historic engine.

As almost every other brand shies away from displacement—with crosstown rival Chrysler even going so far as to kill the HEMI V8—it's refreshing to see General Motors still committed to the pushrod V8. For all the EV chatter coming out of GM these days, it's important to remember that small-block sales effectively underpin the entire company.

The SBC is as much a part of General Motors as the 911's flat-six is synonymous with Porsche. Happy Birthday, small-block!

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