This topic is sorta like beating a dead horse. Just about everyone here has a different opinion,on what kind of an engine to use. True the old inline sixes can be built to run with a 350 V/8,but the cost and availability of parts gets out of hand.I went with a 350 in my 55 2nd and I really like the way it drives and handles. A lot of times you can buy a 350 out of a junk yard install it and youve got a strong runner for a few hundred dollars.And yeah you will see mostly V/8s at the car shows for this reason,cost,availability of parts,performance,etc.Or you can buy a new 350 crate 300 HP engine for around $2000. I am not knocking the straight sixes,but with myself and most others out there money is the name of the game.We try to keep the cost down on these projects.A friend of mine had a drop dead gorgeous 57 Chevy,convertible,as close to a number one car as I have ever seen. He had the original 283 engine overhauled to factory specs.no hop up at all. Cost was $4500.To my way of thinking he could have bought two new 350 crate engines for that $4500.So when it comes down to engine choice,its a matter of personal preferance,and how deep your pockets are.