I can't help wondering back in 1971-73, what dealership ordering manager or customer for that matter said:
"I can have the way cooler hood for no added cost as a free option with the base engine? No thanks."
At no extra cost, it is hard to believe that there was even one car that was ordered without the NASA hood, but clearly it happened. I am sure there are people who preferred the flat hoods, I get it, both absolutely have their appeal and their fans. I just think that back in the day if you are choosing the 302, it is for probably for economy sake, either in the purchase price, or fuel expense, or both. If you're working within a tighter budget, and if it is free, why not get the optional hood that all of the Mach 1's with larger engines came with?