Could part of it be the gearing, in addition to the low HP numbers at low RPM?

Seems to me like maybe these cars were initially intended for the Autobahn. Not so great off the line, but once they get wound up they have lots of pep, AND get substantially better mileage.

Both the "slow off the line" feel AND the difference between city vs. highway mileage seem to be a bit more exaggerated in these cars than in most others. Seems like they really were built to get out there and RUN - not so much to do the stop-n-go...

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1984 300 Coupe TurboDiesel
Silver blue paint over navy blue interior
2nd owner & 2nd engine in an otherwise
99% original unmolested car
~210k miles on the clock

1986 Ford F250 4x4 Supercab
Charcoal & blue two tone paint over burgundy interior
Banks turbo, DRW, ZF-5 & SMF conversion
152k on the clock - actual mileage unknown