Rodders of the day were very progressive and open to new stuff.

That's why early OHV V8 engines(Caddy, Olds and the mighty Hemi) quickly replaced the venerable flathead when they could be afforded.

The small block Chevy was high tech for the late fifties. I don't think if you had shown up at the local car hang-out in 57 with a 2x4 Power Pack 283 in your Deuce roadster you would have been shunned. I doubt anyone would have said "Man, that makes me want to puke. Why didn't you use a 292 Ford?"