Not so much just a BBC thingy, lots of car manufacturers used it on their bone stock motors ...
Pontiac comes to mind .. (350, 389, 400, 455, etc.)
On LS V8 engines, a lifter valley cover, or pan, is a standard component.
Also Mopar; like the 383 and 440, used a metal valley pan that also served as the intake manifold gasket. This design kept the intake manifold "dry" by isolating it from the hot oil below, allowing for a cooler air charge.
AMC V8s: These engines also featured a valley pan design. It is installed before the intake manifold and functions as the gasket to seal the lifter valley.