You know, they ask why ...
When I was young ...
... , it was the MUSCLE CAR ERA. You could buy showroom cars that would get the job done (few FORD's). The trouble was while one could afford the car, insurance rates were through the roof and just wasn't an option.
I would have died to have had a 68 FAIRLANE 428CJ. But it just was not within reach. Maybe buy a 390CI C6 for insurance reasons (don't even think 4/S) and then jack it up with a 428 ($$$) 4/S retrofit ...
So what most had to do was install an FE in an older chassis, and 56 and 57 provided that.
Nothing wrong with a 352. The early 1958 352CI had solids and put out the HP. Then FORD got out of racing and the late 58 352CI went to a hydraulic valve-train and lower compression. Damn thing would not get out of it's own way. Plus FORD did not want to put a solid lifter engine in a 58 BIRD.
FORD came back in 1960 with the 352CI 360HP for the street. That got her done. Perfect retrofit.
I think that is where Jeff is going, bringing back a period HP car.