318 Factory 4-Barrel ?

In the mid 80's I worked in a service station that had the contract for the maintenance on our local sheriff's cruisers which were Diplomats with 318 4 barrels. Why they didn't opt for the 360 in a police car I'll never know. I had the opportunity to "test drive" a few of them. They didn't run too badly on top end, but they were a dog from 0-40. Low compression all the way with a very mild camshaft profile from the idle and vacuum characteristics. But they did have that HUGE alternator to support all the electronics. My 71 318 3 spd. Dart was much faster 0-60, but I wouldn't have wanted to try and outrun one on top end with my puny 2 barrel and 3:91 gears.