1970s Plymouth Dusters
Nov 26, 2022 12:55:54 #
Nov 26, 2022 13:32:14 #
xt2
Loc: British Columbia, Canada
KillroyII wrote:
Nice cars, nice pictures.
I remember 1970 as the year the engines got choked down with smog control. Took some years for car companies to improve the smog control and regain some horsepower.
I remember 1970 as the year the engines got choked down with smog control. Took some years for car companies to improve the smog control and regain some horsepower.
Close…1970 was actually the final and best year for muscle cars. 1971 ushered in some minor smog control, but horsepower (HP) fell, mostly in the manufacturer’s advertising as gross HP rating was replaced with net ratings, which measured HP after all engine-robbing power accessories were added into the mix which made power ratings tumble. However, the “true” power virtually remained, notwithstanding the marketing, for the 1971 models. Thereafter, real reductions in power reared their ugly heads with lower compression ratios (11.5:1 reduced to 9.5:1 and smog pumps in all their power-robbing glory.
I recall thinking the muscle car era was kaput, however, I find myself driving contemporary cars and SUVs with much better handling, transmissions and 600+ HP net ratings. Heck, even my 1971 442 convertible has well over 600 HP. Contemporary boring & blasé EV sedans often enjoy close to 1000 HP.
ICE or EV, the choice (for the time being) is our’s & horsepower is back and alive and well…thank goodness!
Happy motoring!
Nov 26, 2022 16:58:16 #
Nov 28, 2022 10:12:23 #
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