The Fuelie '57 Corvette made OVER one hp per inch, but not by much. Chevy decided to advertise it as One HP per Inch just because they thought it sounded better. They also claimed to be the first to have 1hp per inch, but Chrysler had already done it with the Hemi....it was never advertised, tho.
Ain't nuttin like an old muscle car for excitement!
Stock 426 Hemis ran in the 425-450hp range. My '66 2x4 Hemi Charger was 425hp factory rated. As with the L88, changing to headers, and doing some fine tuning would get it up to 450 or so easily. The L88, properly set up, would pump out 560 confirmed hp without opening it up anywhere. Getting that out of a Hemi required changing the intake, and other hardware.
No matter...those WERE the days! You had to be a MAN to drive a beast like that. Today, any 20 year old punk with cash can go down and buy a 500hp Corvette from the dealer....and go right out and wrap it around a tree. Then again I know of a few Boss 302 and Boss 429 Musturds that didn't survive more than week of teenage driver...
Adams' Apple2011-04-12 19:48:36______________
Joel Adams
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"