Automotif CCXXIV...

Mercedes-Benz SL380 R107, from the early Eighties. The late Seventies and early Eighties were an era of great horsepower disparities between American market and Euro versions of the same car. European cars had more lax emissions regs and the computerized fuel injection revolution hadn't occurred yet.

The 234 cubic inch single overhead cam V-8 in Eurospec cars had a 9.0:1 compression ratio and put out 201bhp. The US market saw the engine's compression reduced to 8.3:1 and an emissions control potato stuck up the tailpipe, dropping the output to 155bhp. The NHTSA-required 5MPH bumpers just added insult to injury.

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