As for passenger cars, in 1965 the 230 was available in the Super Sport Chevelle. Almost 7,500 people paid EXTRA to forgo the standard 283 and place a 230 between the fenders of a SS including convertibles. The GM literature I have from the time all indicate that the 230 was an additional cost option.
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I think the 230 came about because the new cars then were getting lower hood clearance and overall smaller." You're right - The clearance from the top surface of the intake horizontal feature to the bottom of the hood is only 9" on the Chevelle. And there is very little room from the hood to the top of the V/C.
I'm proud to have one of those Super Sport Sixes. After 42 years it has never been removed from the car, rebuilt or had any major work done to it. Even after the car was sitting unused outside from 1993 to 2005 neglected, it still fires right up today and not a bit of smoke or clatter. Just needed most of the gaskets replaced. The original fuel pump and distributor were still working fine when they were upgraded and I have them still as spares.
The next upgrades are in a box in the garage simply waiting for warmer weather to install: An Offenhauser dual carb intake with Carter YFs. There is just barely enough hood clearance to do this with low profile air cleaners. Also a pair of Langdon split cast iron headers. I won't be beating on this engine, I realize it's still only a six with original internal components - but it sure turned heads at the car shows in original configuration. Most folks at these shows don't know much about the 230, but the ones that do will comment about it being a well-built & reliable passenger car engine. Here are some photos of the engine and the car:
230 engine view 1965 Malibu SS
