American Car Spotters Guide - 1973 |
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In late 1973 and 1974 the automobile industry experienced a serious decline because of the Arab oil embargo and the accompanying rise in inflation. The boycott, which began on 19 October 1973, caused turmoil in the world economy. Not only was the supply of gasoline greatly curtailed, causing lines at gasoline stations, but the price of petroleum went through the roof. The price of oil in December 1973 rocketed to between fourteen dollars and nineteen dollars per barrel, up from between two dollars and three dollars a year earlier. The increases presented the automobile industry its greatest challenge since the Great Depression. |
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Chevrolet Camaro |
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Also see: Chevrolet Car Reviews | The History of Chevrolet |
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In 1973 GM no longer offered the SS option on the Camaro. The RS and Z-28 option was still available and included revised front bumperettes which met the new Federal Safety regulations. A new Type LT option was added as a luxury package which included a V8 (L-65) and several trim items. Despite all the drop in performance, production was up. |
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Chevrolet Caprice Classic Convertible |
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Also see: Chevrolet Car Reviews | The History of Chevrolet |
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The Caprice was renamed the Caprice Classic for 1973, a year highlighted by a new cross-hatch grille over the new 5 mph (8 km/h) energy absorbing front bumper and revised square taillights, again mounted in the bumper. Increasingly stringent emission standards added EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) valves to engines, and accordingly horsepower figures continued to drop. The standard Turbo-Fire 400 two-barrel was now rated at 150 hp (112 kW) while the only optional engine was the Turbo-Jet 454 V8 produced 245 hp (183 kW) with dual exhaust (215 hp (160 kW) with single exhaust used in station wagons). A convertible, brought over from the lesser Impala series, was moved to the Caprice lineup for the first time in 1973 and the woodgrained-trim station wagon known as the Kingswood Estate since 1969 was renamed the Caprice Estate. A new option on Caprice Classic sedans and coupes was a 50/50 bench seat with recliner on the passenger side. |
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GMC Jimmy |
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GMC Sprint |
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Imperial LeBaron 4 Door Hardtop |
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