What does the upcoming Indianapolis 500 have in common with the same race in 1955? Both races at the historic Indianapolis Motor Speedway were paced by a Chevrolet with a GM small-block V-8 engine. The link between the two pace vehicles bears special significance because the GM small-block V-8 celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.

T.H. Keating, a former Chevrolet Division general manager, paced the same race in a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air on May 30, 1955. That Chevy was powered by the first version of the GM small-block V-8 engine ever produced, with a displacement of 265 cubic inches and rated at 180 horsepower at 4,600 rpm.