Chevrolet set to show off new crate engines in delicious vintage Chevy builds at SEMA 2018

Photo: Chevrolet Pressroom.

If the term “crate engine” makes you think only of the “Put a 350 in it, man!” crowd, it might be time for you to take a fresh look.

While it may be true that, as Matt Farah observed during a chat with Jalopnik’s Kurt Bradley on The Smoking Tire podcast this week, a lot more people are talking on the Interwebs about doing crazy LS swaps these days than actually doing them, the Chevrolet crate engine lineup offers a considerable depth and breadth of swap-friendly options, with nearly 50 motors to choose from.

The Ones that Got Away: 5 Cars From My Past That I Wish I Had Back

Yes, I know. Nostalgia is a tricky thing. We tend to view the past through rose-colored glasses. Thinking back to cars from your past is no exception. You tend to remember the good and fun things about them, and filter out what was negative and frustrating. Nevertheless, what's the harm in taking a quick little trip down memory lane? So here goes. Here's a list, in no particular order, of vehicles that I either owned or drove frequently that I wish I could drive again today.

1. 1973 Chevrolet Impala. This was my second college car, and it's the car I spent the most time with in the 80s. It wasn't a sporty coupe--it was a brown 4-door colonnade  with a tan vinyl top.

A 1973 Chevrolet Impala Custom Coupe. Mine was a 4-door sedan, but it had this exact color scheme for the body and vinyl top. Photo by Vegavairbob (Wikipedia).