Having graduated from high school in 1979, this is right in my wheelhouse.
In 78, I bought a stock 71 Charger R/T 440, 4bbl, auto, open 8 3/4 w 3.23 r&p.
Fun car and faster than any of the late 70s rides.
As a graduation gift, I was offered a new car. I had some issues with the Charger, and I didn't have much money, so I figured a new car would be better for me. I didn't have to sell the Charger, but my parents said I didn't "need" 2 cars, so the 71 got sold.
I looked at the 79 302 powered Mustang and the 79 Aspen R/T. I stuck w/MOPAR and got the e58 "police" 360 4bbl 79 R/T.
I think it ran 16s....
The years that followed were dark days indeed for performance, well into the 80s.
The performance of today's "muscle cars" is truly amazing. Having said that, I much prefer the EXPERIENCE of having older muscle cars.
Between the 3x2bbl Rochesters on the 421 in my wife's 65 GTO and the 3x2bbl Holley carbs on the 440 in my 70 V-code Roadrunner, I have 6 carbs to tune. Both cars are standard transmission models too.
They bring a tactile connection to the experience of driving that NO new performance car could.