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5 Most-Powerful American Cars of 1977
5 Most-Powerful American Cars of 1977 | The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide®

The Oldsmobile Toronado was the third most powerful American car of 1977. Note that the T-Top roof depicted in this brochure image never reached production.

Perhaps the easiest way to demonstrate the extent to which emissions equipment and low-octane unleaded fuel had impacted the power output of new-vehicle engines is to note the following:

The most powerful engine available from AMC–the 360-cubic-inch V8–was good for just 140 horsepower. Meanwhile, AMC’s 304-inch V8 had been emasculated to just 120 horsepower.