The 1953-4 Corvette had a 235 c.i. inline six, all trimmed out with bunches of chrome and running three (Weber?) side draft carburetors. It was just about the neatest looking installation you could see at that time..... and maybe at this time too.

If I had a sharp '49-54 daily ride, that's the way I'd go. Maybe not a 235, but a straight six. It looks good, it sounds unique (especially with one or two steel-pack Smithys), and it's a far less expensive project than most other engine options.

For a young guy, that's usually important.