Yeah and V8 Mustangs in the 1960's quite often got better MPG than the 6cy's.. what's your point? Gas mialage w/ cars has actually stayed relativley the same thru the years, many 4cyl cars from the 70's got better gas mialage than 4cyl cars made in the last 10 years. Prius used to be able to achive 60 MPG in it's first couple years of production, but people did not enjoy driving dogs, so they increased the performance and gas mialage suffered, now they get 35-40 on average. put in perspective that, a Ford Focus, can get 35 MPG. Hybrids are no longer relative in popularity for gas MPG, but only for inshurance discounts and tax breaks.

Oh and the late 70's and early '80's firebirds were dogs.