[cfg83]

tjts1 -

Originally Posted by tjts1

This is a very misleading graph. First of all there is absolutely no correlation between peak HP and and fuel economy at low rpm/low load. Secondly, the graph completely ignores the increasing weight of cars over the years. Even a VW Jetta weighs more than 3000lb and cars need the extra HP just to get out of their own way. Most large sedans weight around 4000lb, more than they ever did in the late 60s to early 70s.
This is not an excuse for stalled fleet wide fuel economy but the connection to increasing peak HP is completely useless.

I'll agree that the graph is misleading, but I also think (American) cars were getting bigger and heavier before the 1973 oil embargo. Our 1971 Chevy Impala was a 2-tonner :

History of the Impala - Introduction
http://www.goissca.org/imp_hist.htm

Year = pounds
1958 = 3,458-3,523
1959 = 3,570-3,665
1960 = 3,575-3,635
1961 = 3,445-3,600
1962 = 3,450-3,920
1963 = 3,265-3,870
1964 = 3,325-3,895
1965 = 3,385-4,005
1966 = 3,430-4,005
1967 = 3,455-3,990
1968 = 3,250-3,940
1969 = 3,640-4,285
1970 = 3,641-3,871
1971 = 3,391-4,021
1972 = 3,720-4,150 -- "In '72, Impala all-time sales topped the 10 million mark, extending its lead as the best-selling full-size car in automotive history"
1973 = 4,087-4,162
1974 = 4,167-4,256
1975 = 4,190-4,959
1976 = 4,175-4,972
1977 = 3,533-4,072 -- "curb weight was cut by more than 700 pounds"

CarloSW2