AMC Eagle

[nasadowsk]

"Before that, those big American engines that we now consider 'weak' were often making hundreds of horsepower, sometimes 1 per cubic inch. They were made weak to meet emissions standards."

I think it was Super Chevy that dyno'd a prestine version of the supposed "monster '70 Chevelle LS what that everyone brags about how it made more horsepower than GM would admit to.

288 HP at the rear.

That's barely an entry level high HP car these days.

What "killed" horsepower ratings in the 70's was the feds clamped down on car makers basically advertising whatever number they wanted. It was the same thing they did with stereo equipment. Then you added emissons regulations later on, which the big three figured if they moaned enough, it'd go away. It didn't, and the Japanese ate their lunch.