Let me try to expand the comment a little. Back in the late 50s---when "Hot Rods" really took off, the predominant engine was a hot flathead. Occasionally you would see a early Chrysler or a Buick, Cadillac, or a Oldsmobile----but most were flatheads. Chevrolet brought out their V8 in 1955, so did Plymouth and it was the second year for the Y block Ford. No one paid much attention to them in 1955---but in 1956, Chevrolet took a great leap forward in HP but more importantly in dealer aftermarket parts. For the balance of the 50s, Ford and Plymouth were dogs---unless you had lots of $$$ and could get rare factory race parts, even then the Mopar and Ford was larger, heavier and much more difficult to install into another brand chassis.

During that same time, you could buy new Chev FI short blocks for lless than $200, and long blocks were not much more. Ford and Mopar ddidn't offer anything close price wise. And the Chev dealers had the stuff in stock---not so with Ford or Mopar, it was special order.

During that era, many people got converted into Chevrolet lovers----and those same guys(now in their 60/70) are the same guys who put a Chevrolet into anything with four wheels.