Large Engines are Gone

Posted by admin on Jan 18th, 2010 in Car, Finance | 0 comments

The muscle care craze hit three speed bumps and never recovered. Tougher environmental laws, insurance premiums and the 1973 OPEC oil embargo all took their toll. Safety groups began having concerns over large engines in such small cars that were marketed to the younger population. They pointed out tire performance, braking and inadequate handling as safety issues. Insurance companies began adding large surcharges to these cars and so many young buyers now could not afford them.
Congress had their emission controls and automakers had to go from more horsepower into creating cleaner emissions. Banned in 1973 was the leaded gasoline so manufacturers had to start turning down engines by 1971. Unleaded gasoline caused the drop in horsepower along with compression ratios being lowered in engines.
Another 1971 fact was the manufacturers had to post not only the engine ratings but the power ratings of their models. The oil embargo was the final nail in the coffin for these cars. Between 1973 to mid 1974, oil imports to the U.S. dropped 25% to 30%. Gasoline was scarce and we all remember those long lines at the gas stations.