360 vs 383

Of course because it was essentially a truck/van/station wagon engine. They put them in Dusters and Dart Sports because they needed 'something' to replace the 340 with to sell to the 'youth market'. Imagine if they went the opposite direction and tried to push the 318 instead? Logic says the 360 was the only choice in that situation, (thankfully) regardless of how toothless it was at the time.

Most Big 3 engines in the mid '70s were boat anchors, not just Chrysler products.

Yup!
I always tell my adult sons this: Stock means diddly squat, it's what you build not buy.
Awhile back I saw a yellow 1975 Pontiac Trans Am for sale with a 455 "HO". in the late 90's, my brother almost bought it, I like Pontiacs but stuck to Mopars.
Factory rated at a whopping 200 HP and 330 ft lbs of torque stock.
1/4 mile in 16.12 seconds... Talk about a turd.
*Edit* Also those Trans am's were a portly 3700+ lbs.