My Dad was more interested in fuel economy than hp. I remember a couple Studebaker Champions with mighty flat head 6's. That changed though when he bought a 62 Chrysler 300 with a 383 2 bbl. It was fast to me at the time. I bought a 63 300 with the 383 but after getting beat by a Chevelle out came the 383 and in went a 440. The Chevelle never beat me again.
After that I bought a 69 RR 383 4spd. In went a set of headers, a cam, 2 4 bbls. and 3.91 gears. After that car came a 68 Hemi GTX 4spd car. And a 77 Fury police package car, headers, cam. It was FAST.
Finally my old truck, a succession of 440's, a 528 Hemi and now a 605 Hemi. It is SCARY fast.