Chevy didn’t just power its own legends. Its V8s found homes in some of the world’s most unexpected cars. These engines helped performance-hungry builders think bigger, go faster, and worry less about reliability. It turns out Chevy’s muscle fits almost anywhere.

Iso Grifo 

Italian luxury carmaker Iso wanted both style and speed. To achieve this, they chose Chevrolet’s 327, 350, and 427 V8 engines, which gave the Grifo Ferrari-level performance with American reliability. As a result, you get a grand tourer that could cruise comfortably yet dominate on the track.

Jensen Interceptor

The British Jensen Interceptor initially used Chrysler power, but in some cases, Chrysler supply issues led to the use of Chevy 350 and 427 V8s. This provided an easy-to-maintain alternative without compromising the car’s high-performance reputation.

Bizzarrini 5300 GT 

Designed by a former Ferrari engineer, the Bizzarrini 5300 GT had exotic Italian styling but was powered by the Chevy 327 V8. Unlike Ferraris, which used complex, high-revving V12s, the Bizzarrini relied on Chevy’s brute force for reliable and race-winning performance.

De Tomaso Pantera (Early Models)

The first De Tomaso Pantera prototypes experimented with different V8s, including Chevrolet’s 350 small-block, before Ford became the official supplier. Though most production models used Ford engines, early Chevy-powered versions remain rare collector’s items.

Avanti II 

After Studebaker ceased production, the Avanti was resurrected as the Avanti II, now powered by Chevrolet’s 327, 350, and 400 V8s. This change ensured longevity, and soon after, other small manufacturers also adopted Chevy’s small blocks to power their specialty cars.

Holden Monaro (Early Models) 

Before Holden developed its own V8, early Monaro models relied on Chevrolet’s 307, 327, and 350 V8s. This connection to Chevy’s small-block engines helped shape Australia’s muscle car culture and cemented the Monaro’s place in history.

Marcos GT

The Marcos GT blended a low-slung fiberglass body with a lightweight chassis. Under the hood, a Chevy small-block V8 roared to life, making this British sports car a formidable track machine. Plus, its wide stance and aggressive aerodynamics screamed performance.

Ultima GTR 

Some supercars rely on complex, high-maintenance engines. The Ultima GTR, however, took a different approach, using Chevy LS-series V8s. This made it faster and more reliable, proving that a simple pushrod V8 could still dominate high-tech exotics.

Facel Vega HK500 

The Facel Vega HK500 mixed French style with raw American muscle. Most models came with Chrysler V8s, though some restorations swapped in Chevy 327s. It wasn’t just about looking good—it moved fast and felt refined without trying too hard.

Monteverdi High Speed 375

Monteverdi combined European craftsmanship with American power to create an exclusive high-performance GT. This Swiss-built luxury coupe offered exotic European styling and handcrafted interiors powered by a Chevy 454 V8. It also delivered massive torque output.