No kidding, I made $2.70 an hour in '79, fortunately my '68 Fairlane 500 with it's 289 2 bbl got pretty good fuel economy.
I remember the Camaros, Chevelles, Beaumonts, Satellites, a few Mustangs and 442 Oldsmobiles, one '69 Charger, and a '70 Scamp with a 318 3 spd stick that I almost bought after my Fairlane was totaled by a drunk driver. (not me) lol