It was quick and cheap and it squeaked the '72s past their emissions type-approval tests so they would be legal to offer for sale in California. Those were the priorities for a list of reasons other than the obvious ones; at that time the American automakers were generally complying with safety and emissions regulations in the nastiest ways possible, just about openly trying to spur public backlash sufficient to get Congress to repeal the regs. Ridiculous crapmess of five buckles and uncomfortable, clumsy, pain-in-the-nuts separate lap and shoulder belts…crude emission controls that made the cars run poorly…they won a few minor battles this way ('74 ignition/seatbelt interlock), but they lost the war. When dealers and zone reps shrugged and said "Not our fault, the government made us do it", instead of writing to their congressional representatives, consumers tried out foreign cars whose makers spent their efforts and funds complying with the regs instead of fighting them. Many never returned to American-made autos.
