1955’s 265 V8: The One That Started It All

by Steve Alexander

Anyone who loves Chevrolet loves the iconic small-block V8 engine. But few of us know why and how this mechanical wonder came about. When Ed Cole took over as chief engineer at Chevrolet, he knew that in order to change Chevrolet’s image from grocery getter to high performance hot rod he would need a V8 engine. Before Cole started with Chevrolet, Ed Kelly had worked to develop a V6 and a 231 cubic-inch V8. But, Cole rejected both engines knowing he could design something better; more durable, faster, inexpensive and easy to operate. With vision, determination and hard work, he did just that.