...big blocks back then were the quarter mile weapon of choice. The road race factory 302 was watered down, but...with some tweaks like headers, exhaust, cam, intake, ignition and carb upgrades it woke up the anemic factory 302. It did pretty damn well in the 1320' as well. But it's mission was the windy, twisty road for the amount of RPM it could produce and the upper level power band.
Which is exactly why I bought one in '69 as I love the twisties!
Clyde