'75-76 Dart Sport 360, why hp so high?

Which makes me wonder if Mopar delayed installing catalytic convertors on this car until 1977? Does any FABO member know the reason why Dart Sport (and Duster) 360 hp hung on so high for so long?

Thanks, Kellen
The Catalytic converter was introduced in the 1975 model year. I'm not sure if it was at the beginning of the Calender year or the model year but I had a 75 Slant six Duster with a C/C. I also had 2 1976 Darts that had converters.