American Car Market 1970`s
The American Muscle Car enjoyed its hey day from the early 1960s through to the early 1970s when changing emissions standards and motoring costs had a dramatic effect on the market.
Highly valued in the USA for their large engines, these high performance cars, which sometimes came in the form of 2-door sports coupes, sometimes full size vehicles, were extremely powerful and affordable.
The Rocket 455, for example, was a fiery red model made by Oldsmobile in 1968 with a 455 cubic-inch V-8 engine that powered these vehicles through to the Muscle Car era of the 70s.
Depending upon the tuning and carburetor of the vehicle, Muscle Car engines were capable of producing from 275 up to an astonishing 400 horsepower.
The Delta 88, for instance, produced in 1968, produced 310 horsepower and 490 foot-pounds of pulling power, or torque, as it is known. Four-barrel carburetors produced a 10:1 compression ratio in some cases.
The cars were highly desirable, especially among the youth market, as youngsters would use them for drag racing. But concerns were eventually raised over cars that were not as big on safety as they were on power.
Ralph Nader, who led the safety lobby, protested that the cars should not be available for public sale, flagging up concerns over brakes, handling and tire adhesion due to their power.
Consequently, motor insurance costs rose as the industry placed surcharges on high-powered vehicles, pushing them out of the affordable bracket and out of reach for the younger driver.
Another blow to the Muscle Car era came through Detroit`s attempts to counteract rising emissions. In 1973, the OPEC oil embargo resulted gasoline rationing and price controls.
These fuel economy problems and rising emission standards led to the end of an era. Before the oil embargo 100-cotane fuels would be used, such as Esso Extra and Texaco Sky Chief.
But after the Clean Air Act of 1970 when octane ratings had to be dropped to 91, unleaded gasoline was introduced and eventually took over. Tetraethyl lead was also removed as a valve lubricant.
The knock-on effect of these forces against the Muscle Car led to the fast demise of the market. Engine compression ratios were lowered, meaning that from 1971, horsepower was reduced.
The 1972 Olds 98 had its horsepower lowered to 255, for example and Chrysler discontinued their high performance engines such as the 426 Hemi.
Other models were transformed into personal luxury cars, joining the ranks of other beloved motor sport collectibles highly cherished by their owners.
