Just how quick were the 273 Commando's in the Quarter-Mile.

Like I said the NHRA "stock" class is far from stock, where it is stock is the one area the 318 had trouble, the stock carb. Even a simple, inexpensive Holly 2bbl swap would do wonders but is not allowed. Yet cut in expensive fender well headers with open exhaust, spend a fortune on blueprint and balance along with custom cam grinds and you are still stock according to the NHRA. Those things wouldn't help the 318 when you are forced to use that carb. When you are talking showroom stock you are in a different world. When you are talking real world where a person is more likely to add a couple of bolt ons before spending the thousands put into a "stock" NHRA class.

How would the later 318's 250hp NHRA rating be explained away. There is nothing magical about a 273 compared to a 318, to a 340, to a 360. The 318 was just saddled with a tiny carb most years.