As the horsepower wars of the 1960s peaked in 1970 and began to somewhat dissipate in 1971, we’re still thinking that some hardcore muscle car fans figured that the rest of the 1970s wouldn’t be that bad. Once this commercial aired, we’re guessing that might have changed. With the public attitude about oil consumption, cars, pollution, air quality, and other “green” issues changing rapidly at this point in time, GM decided it was the right moment to tell the world that they were on the forefront of cleaning up their act. In modern terms some of this stuff is downright hilarious.
The first thing they tout is EGR and no longer simply having a road draft tube for engine blow by to exit from. That’s not exactly Nobel Prize level stuff. Next up the containment of fuel vapor that would otherwise escape into the atmosphere. Thanks charcoal canister system! But the biggie is what the deep voiced announcer is holding.
The catalytic converter. Pitched as basically a miracle device that turns exhaust into water vapor, there’s likely still not a more bristled at piece of equipment than this one. Now they have become far more efficient and effective since the 1970s but when there were installed, their choking of and engine’s ability to breathe was beyond anything anyone had ever seen to that point. Obviously they have worked and will continue to work but at this time in the world, that shined up, air cleaner looking thing would have a more profound effect on performance than anything else done to date.
An interesting moment in time, brought to you by GM.
