Hmmm. They are about the best looking LS motors ive yet to see, anywhere for that matter. Maybe because they look like something they're not? The key here seems to be, making them look like vintage style/type motors. Whys that? If you want modern powerplants, why dress em to look like older motors? Kinda like, you wouldn't dress an older motor to look like a LS unit. Or is that a thing also??
Following your line of reasoning, why bother starting with an old truck to begin with? The answer will invariably be styling. Same reasoning can be applied as to why dress up an LS engine which looks like a de-fleshed Terminator. Again, styling.
I have a 1974 350 in my '49. I shortened 216 valve covers, painted the Thrift-master lettering on them, and covered the original 350 valve covers with them.
People cannot stop staring at them at car shows. Many cannot figure out what engine it is.
That's why I do it.
