Ah, the Malaise era. That bit of time when there was very few, if any, good vehicles from American manufacturers. OPEC oil embargos and stringent fuel economy and emissions regulations meant that the average American car from 1975 to 1983 or thereabouts was not particularly good when it came to speed and handling, which were not priorities anymore. Isolation? Now that they could do.
Maybe it was the fact that America had realized its collective lifestyle was full of privilege and could easily be shattered if hit in the right place. Maybe it was the new wave of social responsibility that would only increase as years went by. Or maybe it was just the tastes of the era. But, exceptions like the Vega, the Mustang II and other economy and sporty cars aside, an American car was a place to isolate yourself from anyone or anything, a cocoon to keep you safe from the horrible world and its troubles. Never mind the repercussions of Vietnam, and the fact you can only buy a couple of gallons of gas at a time. You’re safe here in your world of comfy button-backed leather seats, column shifts and plastiwood. Hairpins? A spirited drive through the canyons? Nah, that’s far too racy and besides, you could get hurt. It really is the best to keep those roads straight and that cruise control on.
For all their shortcomings however, they were really good at that: Coupe DeVilles and Continental Marks that epitomize the personal luxury car, in designer editions for those that wanted their clothing and their cars to have matching labels. You could have a car in any color that would take your fancy and if that wasn’t enough, there was no shortage of people wanting to fit waterfall grilles and huge headlights to whichever car you bought.
I’m sure a lot of us appreciate the comfort and plushness of the cars of the Malaise era. In fact, one of my favorite cars is from the Malaise era. However, if I had the chance to own one I’d have to give it a lot of thought. Would I be able to put up with all its drawbacks and limitations? It’s not like they were all completely terrible–just mostly. But what about you? If that malaise sled of your dreams shows up with a nice price tag and some flash on its opera lights, would you take the plunge? Or would you conclude that those dreams were actually nightmares?
Absolutely! I enjoyed it from the back seat when I grew up and I enjoy driving it 35 years later! Mid seventies at its best – even though its Rocket 455 had to go through the smog treatment at the time.
That has to be one of the best looking cars of all time. Right when I thought the Brougham thing had run its course out comes the ’76 Cutlass and changes everything.
That was Olds on top of the world! Lots of my fellow Guidos had the Cutlass, Regal and Monte Carlos all over college…
Can’t say I’d agree with it being the best looking cars of all time, but I do think the 76 Cutlass was one of the best restyles of all time, particularly in Supreme form. The 73-75s were really awkward looking.
Wow, sharp Olds. I agree that the square-lamp restyle dramatically changed what had been a slightly awkward design into something quite stylish!
This is the car Im building right now and I drive an 84 Delta 88 coupe daily so the answer is yes. Id also like to have a nice Volare wagon.
That will be one sharp car when you have it together. Always liked em with the pinstriping, half vinyl roof and color keyed mags 😀
thanks Coasty (Coasty here as well)
no vinyl top, which is probably what kept the body rust free, but it will be candy apple red with an OE-like pinstripe and color matched Pontiac Rallye IIs on tires big enough to handle the torque of that un-smogged 400.
The Pontiac 400’s were great engines. I had one in a Grand Safari, and even though that car was heavy, it seemed to have plenty of punch. I can only imagine what an un-smogged one would be like in a sporty Grand Prix! Much better than the ambling 301, that’s for sure.
Yes… and I do. Here’s a pic the day after I brought her home:
It wouldn’t be my first choice in a collector car, but if I had the money to amass a large collection of automobiles, than yes, certainly. Topping my list in no particular order are the Lincoln Mark V, Chrysler R-body New Yorker Fifth Avenue, J-body Imperial, 3rd-gen Oldsmobile Toronado, and Cadillac Fleetwood.
An upper trim, ’75-’77 Chrysler 4-door hardtop (one of those with the honking 440 CID engine as standard equipment) would be pretty groovy.
Yep! My buddy and I buy a car every 6 months or so and we fix em up together, so last summer he bought a 1978 Ranchero GT, probably the worst or any generation Rancho or Elco alike.
Its massive, its slow (with the 302), it handles like a parade float, and has possibly the smallest interior dimensions relative to its exterior dimensions of any car I know.
But its real easy to work on (I can stand next to the motor in the engine bay, and all of the aincent technology it uses can be repaired with a hammer) and its size is a novelty all on its own. It wouldnt be either of our daily drivers, but I like the car and he is very happy with the purchase.
And this summer we will be swapping in a 351w with hydraulic lifters. Itll be awesome.
Sure! I would to love to own a `75-78 Chrysler New Yorker coupe, an “electric razor” in all white, but I haven`t seen a decent one yet. Second choice would be a Cordoba of the same vintage,with Corinthian Leather,of course!.
I generally consider 1967 to 1972 as the high point for American cars in terms of styling and desirability. Things started to go downhill from the 1973 model year when the bumper regs kicked in and styling generally became more conservative. I was never really a huge fan of the square-edged ‘sheer look’ that seemed to dominate the later half of the decade. Then there was also the demise of glamorous body styles like the convertible and pillarless hardtop coupe. I still generally prefer cars of the 70’s over the 80’s and especially over the 90’s. There are plenty of malaise era cars I would love to own.
I’m a big fan of 70’s AMC. The Gremlin and Pacer are among my favourite cars of all time. I also love the Hornet sportswagon and all of the 4wd Eagle variants, especially the super rare Kammback version based on the Spirit.
Well, I guess thats my list then: AMC Pacer, Gremlin, and Eagle Kammback.
Absolutely!
75-77 Grand Prix SJ
Trans AM or Formula, all years. New 82’s looked great when properly ordered. 83 Trans Am’s had the new H.O. 305 w/5-speed (only 600+ made)
Jim Rockford’s gold Firebird
77-79 Bonneville
82-83 Mustang GT
Chevrolet Shortbox K10 75-80
77 on up Cadillac DeVille Coupe
79-83 Eldorado
79-83 Datsun 280ZX
….and others. There were a few interesting cars during the “dark ages”
I’ll take a fullsize from any of the big 3 up to 1972/3 (except Pontiac).
Strictly malaise-era? 1977+ downsized Chevrolet wagon.
Proud former owner of a 1978 Ranchero GT. Other than the dog-slow 2bbl 351, it was a nice cruiser and handled surprisingly well. Its low bed made it a great work truck and the park bench front bumper provided comfortable seating for at least two.
I’ll take one of those as well.
Actually, the Malaise Era is from 1973-1983 NOT 1975-83. lol 😉
Pertaining to the question… I own quite a few Malaise Era cars, some include cars designed during the Malaise Era, that overlapped beyond that.
1981 Toyota Corolla 2 door sedan
1983 Toyota Corolla 2 door sedan
1981 Chevy Malibu Classic Sport coupe
1986 Chevy Monte Carlo SS(designed in 1983)
1985 Buick Regal coupe(designed in 1981)
1988 Ford Mustang LX 5.0 notchback Fox body(designed in 1979… with a refresh in 1987)
I love em all… cars back then, had more personality, because at least you could tell an import from a domestic, in those days.
Although, the power of cars during that time was “watered down” with all the fuel regulations, catalytic convertors and emission controls.
Not too big of a problem, that the aftermarket like JEGS or Summit Racing for the domestics, or the JDM aftermarket companies can’t solve.
I would put the malaise era as 74-82
No, the correct period of the Malaise Era is 1973-83.
As said by Murilee Martin… Who, according to himself, coined the phrase.
Don’t know if that is correct, but who knows.
73 kind of seems arbitrary, the only notable thing about that year were the 5mph front bumpers, which pales to 71 and 72s one two punch of unleaded gas compression drops and SAE rating system, and 74s front + rear 5 mph bumper requirement.
Personally I feel 1974 is the official start, with the three prior years ramping up to it. 74 was the year the Insurance, Safety, and Environmental lobby’s desires for cars fully came to fruition.
^agree
The fact that the SAE rating system was adhered do doesn’t really mean anything as the previous numbers used by most automakers were artificially inflated. Yes some cars did start losing compression and thus power in 71 or 72 but it wasn’t until 73 that it was across the board. You could still get a high compression Ford engine in 1972 though there were fewer choices than in 1971.
another way to define the malaise era would be to pin it to the national 55MPH speed limit.(75-87??)
Another way to define it would be the years that lacked a US factory convertible.(76ish to 82)
…or the years that lacked a potent corvette(75-84)
or the years of pathetic mustangs(74-80ish)
My two Corollas
My Buick Regal and Chevy Monte Carlo SS
Two years ago I thought I would buy my first American car ever after 25 years of European cars. I focused on a Gen 1 Seville and found an excellent example not far from home – a one-family car, passed on through three generations before me. With a performance exhaust it goes decently well and with Bilstein shocks it handles nicely. I’m happy I bought it.
My Chevy Malibu Classic Sport coupe and Buick Regal
not only are those AWESOME cars, the photograph is awesome with the background scenery which goes very well with those cars.
LIKE IT!
Thanks, John…
That pic was taken in back of the office where I rent… I didn’t even notice how cool it looked, till I uploaded the pic onto here.
Too bad BOTH cars, along with my 83 Corolla parked out front… are buried up to their roofs in snow. Sucks…
I don’t think they’ll be thawed out till NEXT spring. 🙁
First choice would be any of the ’78-’80 GM A-body coupes (except for the hideous Cutlass Salon/Century slantbacks) upgraded with a 350 4bbl and a THM350 transmission. I’d especially go for a Malibu for sentimental reasons (my first car) and the fact that the survivors that haven’t been turned into all out drag cars are now quite rare.
The ’77-’79 B- and C-bodies are among GM’s masterpieces. Big but not excessively so, decent handling for a big car, and by ’70s Detroit standards rather well made. My faves of the bunch were the Bonnevilles.
My Ford Mustang 5.0 notchback circa 1988… body designed in 1979, with a NEW facelift and tail lights for 1987-93
So, YES, it is a Malaise Era car. 🙂
Definitely not a Malaise era car. The 1982 Mustang GT is the official car of the end of the Malaise era. Horsepower and displacement increasing instead of decreasing and actual performance in a performance package rather than just stickers.
Yes, it is a Malaise DESIGNED car… bodywise, just like ALL of the Fox body lineup.
The 1982 Mustang GT, although, a return to power, was and still IS a Malaise designed car. Malaise doesn’t mean “an underpowering of cars, due to gas restrictions era”… it means an era between 1973-83, simple as that.
One of the most powerful muscle cars to date, was the 1974 Pontiac Trans Am Super Duty, with it’s high compression 455 big block V8… Pontiac released that car as a last hurrah to the Muscle Car Era. Produced in the Malaise Era. lol
Yes, my Fox Mustang is a Malaise Era bodied car… but the fuel injected 5.0, began in 1984/85, which is NOT a Malaise powerplant, along with it’s 1987 refined front fascia, tail lights and interior layout.
So I am right about, the body of my Mustang, is Malaise Era … and you are right about the refined, more powerful fuel injected powerplant, not being Malaise. 😉
I already did my time driving a Malaise Era car! (A ’79 Monarch.) Never again!
I had probably one of the first malaise era vehicles; ’74 Dodge B100 Tradesman van. It gets better; picked it up at the dealer on Saturday, October 6, 1973. First day of the Hebrews and Arabs going at it again. Official start of the malaise decade..Replaced it with a ’75 Rabbit, also had a ’74 Audi Fox, and an ’81 Toyota Pickup. Company car was a ’82 Skylark. So I had a real collection of malaise era stuff.
Sure!
I’ll take a big ol’ barge. I couldn’t afford to drive it much, but for Post Office runs, it would be cool.
I’ll take this 1977 Newport, please!
I still have mine. It’s a ’79 Malibu coupe, V8 4 speed, F41 suspension, buckets, Rally Wheels, and sunroof . It is black with red interior. I ordered it new and it has 165K miles, but doesn’t get driven much anymore. The paint isn’t as good as it used to be and the interior plastic is starting to deteriorate some. I also had a pretty nicely optioned ’81 Regal coupe as a company car but the build quality wasn’t as good as the Malibu. It was more comfortable on a trip unless you were going through the mountains and then you knew you were driving a gutless V6.
All 3 of our kids grew up riding in the back of the Malibu on vacations and constantly tried to get me to buy a minivan. It is one of the best two cars I have owned, the other being an ’03 Mustang.
Back then, that’s all there was.
And now…at least here…many are past the age of intrusive regulation, so they can be fixed…to be what they could have been.
Maybe familiarity breeds contempt?. Growing up in the UK in the mid 70’s I recall looking at a Mercury Monarch Ghia in the local Ford showroom sitting next to the British Escorts with their vinyl seats rubber floor mats and large areas of painted metal inside-it was like looking into another world.There was a GM dealershiip here in Manchester too that sold Buicks and Cadillacs.To me these big brash fully equipped cars didnt look like a malaise.A bit decadent maybe but to see a real malaise we just went to the British Leyland Vauxhall or Rootes/Chrysler dealers.In 1975 you could choose from the following poorly built cars
the 1959 type Mini (still unchanged and fit just for shopping trips)
the Allegro (tragic)
the Marina (appalling)
Vauxhall Viva (ok but ageing)
Vauxhall Victor (unsaleable sad edition of what was once a popular car)
Hillman Imp (a disaster from 1963 but still on sale)
Hillman Hunter (good in 1966 but 10 years later really ageing)
lHow many of these would be on a want list now?
Probably the Mini. The idea of having to use it as a real car is rather grim, but as a toy, it’s at least fun.
I’d gladly take one of these:
and all that walking will do you good
I wouldn’t mind a Hunter or Victor but I agree with the rest of your choice.I saw one Monarch on the road when they were being sold.It was a very expensive car compared to a (European)Ford Granada.
The Manchester GM dealer Bauer – Milletts has just sadly closed after 40 years.They were also a Harley Davidson dealer
Thanks for the update Gem-I didn’t know Bauer and Millett had now gone.That’s a shame.I do remember them selling Harleys when they moved to the former BMW showroom on Deansgate .As for the British malaise I did say the old Hillman Hunter was good and I would still buy a GLS Hunter, Vogue, Sceptre or another fastback Sunbeam though i bet there’s not many of each left in the UK now.
Sure, why not, if I could buy one of the following for the right price in the right condition:
1974-78 Imperial/New Yorker Brougham four door hardtop, enjoy the last of their kind
1972-79 Lincoln Continental Hotten or AHA convertible Town Coupe customs.
1971-74 Lincoln Continental Hotten custom lwb Formal sedan or Limousine.
1975-1979 Cadillac Seville, especially the San Remo custom convertible.
1974 Cadillac Talisman Fleetwood Brougham
1977-81 Cadillac LeCabriolet convertible by Hess & Eisenhardt or American Custom Coachbuilder custom convertible
1977-79 Fleetwood Brougham, good color and equipment
I grew up on them. My parents had a 72 Thunderbird, 73 Country Squire, 78 Cougar, 78 Zephyr, 79 Thunderbird, and a 79 Marquis. I wish I had pictures of them all. Today, I have this 74 Galaxie 500.
Nice-looking Galaxie!
Very nice! Were it not for the fact that HPD was pretty loyal to Ma Mopar in those days I’d say it looks like a blinged out old Houston cop car.
During the time frame of the malaise era (1974-83), Japanese imports were gaining in popularity. That was especially true in California and the western states (Arizona, Nevada,etc). People who bought Japanese cars (led by Toyota and Datsun/Nissan) in the late 70s/early 80s discovered that not only they got good fuel economy. They were more reliable and handled better than the blubbery land yachts from the mid 1970s. One of my favorite Japanese cars from the malaise era were the Toyota Celica and Datsun Z cars (240-260-280Z and 280ZX). Also, between 1977-83, BMW was selling the 320i. That car turned BMW from a niche to a mainstream brand.
I really don’t know. But if I did it would be a 1975-76 Mark with some serious modifications to both the engine and suspension.
I think the only 70’s American car I would think of owning is a Camaro, a Fox body Mustang or a Fairmont turned into a Mustang sleeper car. Otherwise the only 70s cars that interest me are imports.
I would provided it can be made to be reliable and won’t eat my meager paycheck in gas. That leaves out virtually anything made by Chrysler and every block-long 2-ton plus 460-powered gas hog. So, what’s left? Looks like I’m rocking a Pinto, Vega, or 6-cylinder Gremlin.
I’m strangely OK with that.
Well the 78-79 Monte Carlo is the only vehicle I would bother with other than maybe a GMC Pickup.
Yes I would if I could install some performance parts to where the performance will be as good as the pre-1971 vehicles, my favorite cars of the Malaise period are the 1976-77 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 1977-79 Chevrolet Caprice Classic, 1977-79 Oldsmobile Ninety Eight, 1977-79 Buick Electra, 1976-77 Chevrolet Monte Carlo and the 1975-78 Mercury Marquis
First of all I would avoid all silver/gray/white which are too common now. So many good color combos back then. Gimme red or blue or green interiors!
Short list:
75 Can Am (manual of course)
76 Grand Prix
81 Regal
74 Cougar
Daily driver: Rustproofed 76-81 Accord
I always thought 1973 was the beginning of the Malaise era for the vehicles which ended sometime around 1983, I consider 1965 to 1971 to be the golden age of the automobiles.
There are some non-U.S. models by which I might be tempted if I ever had more money than sense, but probably not in the forms they were sold here. Detroit products of the Malaise Era? Probably not unless I were the victim of some unfortunate time travel accident. The idea of a beater pickup truck from that era for hauling crap and the S.O.’s art stuff wouldn’t be completely outlandish, although it’d undoubtedly be expensive to feed.
If were talking American during this era (and I think we are), no. Had a 75 Rabbit (Calif model) but it had to be modified with Weber carb and other alterations before it ran as it should and was not really smog legal. The 77 Rabbit and 80 Jetta, both FI cars I owned ran great for the malaise era and a good condition example of either I would still drive today.
Dear Santa, I’ve been a very good boy. Please leave the keys to these CC’s in my stocking this year. I know, I said keys.. .they didn’t have “clickers” back then !!
1974 Fleetwood Brougham Talisman, in triple black
1974 Coupe de Ville in Mandarin Orange with white Cabriolet roof and orange plaid interior.
1977,78, or 79 T’Bird in navy blue, with chamois vinyl roof, chamois leather interior, and chamois faux luggage straps on the trunk.
1977 Coupe de Ville in Naples Yellow with matching Cabriolet roof and yellow leather
1984 Coupe de Ville in Woodland Haze with brown Cabriolet roof and brown leather
1975 Cordoba in white with red landau and red Corinthian leather interior
1978 Eldorado Biaritz in triple white with red dashboard and carpet.
Thanks Santa – I’ll be sure to leave you a glass of full fat milk and some homemade cookies !
My short list of Malaise Era Cars:
1976 Caddy Seville
1976 Pontiac Grand Ville convertible
1977 Cutlass Salon
1977 Mercury Cougar XR-7
1976 Buick Electra Park Avenue
Yes! Just yesterday I had the 77 Vega wagon out for the day. Aluminum motor and automatic to boot. Handles ok and brakes nicely, but driveability stinks. It needs to stay stock for the bi annual smog checks here in CA. Amazing how ineffecient the motor is, at 2300 cc it is more than double the displacement of my daily driver Opel but only about 18 horsepower more. Amazing how we can “pollute less” by burning more fuel. Anybody want a Vega?
I had a nicely optioned GT Erik. Yes it had it’s little issues. Factory ordered and very enjoyable to drive. Stayed in the family until 1990. All complete and no major rust by then. Undercoating and sitting in a dry garage for a few years helped it survive for so long.
Yes I would like your wagon or another well preserved GT.
I think the malaise era actually began much earlier – around 1967. I base that on the fact that starting roughly around 1966, almost every single model from an American manufacturer that subsequently went through a significant redesign resulted in a car I like less. For example, though I do like the fuselage Mopars, do I like them better than the crisply pressed ’65 through ’68 era? No sir. There’s only a small number of models for which I’d pick a ’68 over a ’66 – the AMC Ambassador, A-body Mopars, the Nova and the Charger. And from then until the down-sized B body Chevy debuted, every single redesign resulted in a car I like less than its predecessor. (I know some would point to the 1970 Camaro as a contrary example, but it’s a lingering trauma of my rural southern youth that I can’t look at one without seeing a trailer park appear magically in the background.)
I have a soft spot for the Granada-Monarch, as a ’75 Monarch was my Driver’s Ed car, and my parents had a couple of long term loaners, a ’76 Granada 2-door 351, and a ’77 4-door 302. We had these while the Ford dealer was trying to repair my dad’s for all practical purposes totaled ’76 Elite.
I’m not a big fan of restomods. For me, having any old car is to travel back in time to the way things were, warts and all. If I had a 60’s muscle car, I would upgrade to radial tires, Pertronix ignition, and disc brakes (which were on the option list anyway in most cases).
For a malaise car, I wouldn’t change a thing. I believe that at least a few examples of these need to be preserved with fully functional (disfunctional?) emissions equipment, just so people can see how far we’ve come. I can just see myself reveling in the sheer awfulness of it now. I step into my ’75 Granada (or Monarch) Ghia coupe. I twist the key and the 302 stumbles to life, sputters a few seconds, and stalls. I turn the key again, this time it stays lit, until I put it in R to back out of the driveway. Cough, sput, out she conks again. By the time I finally get it rolling, I punch up my favorite free format AOR FM station on the slide-bar AM-FM, Steely Dan followed by Genesis, then more yacht rock. I nudge the gas to slide into an adjacent lane, only to have the engine cut completely out for a split second, and then stumble back to life, and I complete my maneuver unscathed. Time to get on the freeway, traffic’s moving pretty good, better punch it. It kicks down, and am absolutely surrounded by the mellifluous aural sensations of fan roar and the exhaust hissing like a service station air hose, but little sensation of acceleration. Somehow, I make it into a slot, and my commute is underway.
Speaking of service stations, I’d better pull into the next one I see because this “precision sized car, designed to make efficient use of space fuel and money” never does better than 12 MPG, and it’s thirsty again! Ah, the memories.
Balderdash!
Sounds just like my mornings with the Monarch!
Of course I would take a car from that era. Today’s “experts” seem to know all about how bad cars were back then. They weren’t. The engines were choked half to death, but the cars themselves were NOT all lead sleds and poorly-handling vehicles.
Happily own a 1977 Buick Electra. Would more happily own a ’75-’76 Fleetwood, Sedan DeVille, Electra, or 98. Same goes for ’75-’79 Lincoln and the big New Yorker’s beautiful, too.
I don’t care about triple digit top speeds, handling, road feel, mpg, space utilization, or cutting edge suspension components. Give me something with a Redi-Whip ride, big spacious seats, a gigantic hood with a big ornament, buckets of chrome trim, real bumpers, fake wood, and 4 doors and that’s all I ask. I will happily keep buying Malaise era land yachts as long as someone can handle any complicated repairs. Except for the post ’71 loss of horsepower they are the pinnacle to me.
I would definitely own one… and while my ’90 Mustang is not technically a ‘malaise era’ ride given the model year, it definitely performs in the same manner as the early Fox Mustangs, the 2.3L is only slightly livelier with it’s EFI over the original 2 bbl carb.
I would give it up for the ideal car, which for me would be a solid Fairmont/Zephyr, especially the Futura/Z7… those are the ultimate prize for me… especially a 78-79 equipped with the 302 and all the goodies.
I once owned a low mileage 1981 Z7 with everything you could get in it, sunroof, A/C, power windows, floor shift automatic with full console, premium cloth seats, cruise control… and that beige-on-gold two tone paint job. The original owner had even swapped out the 4.2L boat anchor of a V8 for the standard issue 2 bbl 302… it was about as perfect as perfect could be, in my eyes!
I loved that car… and unfortunately, I just wasn’t financially sound enough to keep it going in the city. It got terrible MPG even after tuning it up as best as I could and needed parts replaced frequently. Sadly, I had to let it go for something a lot more economical and I am certain it ended up at the crusher. Back in the early 2000s, there just wasn’t the interest in making this into something, even though it was completely solid and could have been dressed up so easily in the performance department.
It was truly the one that got away! I would do anything to have it back.
I’d entertain other F/Z variants too… but they are basically extinct out here. You just don’t see them around at all, even here on the Island, where classic cars roam around in quantity.
Would I own one? Hell, yes I would own one for fun as mpg is not relevant at this point in time with them. I drove quite a few in the day and I like big American cars for cruising on the highway.
Do I think you have over analyzed the era? Yes, big time….
My malaise era cars, 75 Buick Special V6. POS, 80 Dodge Omni 024 Sport, loved it. 1984 Firebird 4 cyl, POS of the highest order. The closest I have right now is 87 Mercedes Benz 300E, probably one of my all time favorites.
Come to think of it who exactly came up with the term Malaise Era and exactly how old are they to make a judgment on that time? All I have to say is that the person had better been 25-35 years old that time and now 65-75 years old now. Otherwise, as a court would say, they have no standing to bring the case.
The name comes from the famous “Malaise Speech” made by Jimmy Carter on 15 July 1979 in the midst of the second energy crisis. Ironically, the word “malaise” never appears anywhere in the speech.
Regardless, it is a perfect descriptor for the 1970s: stagflation, energy crises, economic and political uncertainty, deindustialization… it encapsulates the era perfectly. Especially the cars.
As a child of the 90s the first time I ever heard Malaise referenced was in the Simpsons
‘ll take anything that was used in the ‘Rockford Files’……..
My malaise era pics:
74 dodge charger
74 pontiac firebird 455 S.D.
74 ford torino (starsky and hutch variety)
75-79 chevy nova 2 door 350 4bbl 4 speed
77 ford LTD II Sport 2door (with 400M motor and opera window delete)
78-79 chevy malibu SS 2 door 350 4speed
78-79 dodge magnum GT with 400 motor
78-80 ford granada ESS 2door 351 4 speed
79 hurst olds
79 chrysler cordoba 300 w/400 motor
80 chevy malibu M80
82 pontiac trans am (KITT variety from Knight Rider TV show)
left out:
70s ford F-100 2WD with 300six and stick shift
71-75 international pickup
73-74 pontiac grand am with 400 4bbl 4 speed
77 AMC hornet AMX V8 4speed
78 AMC AMX 401 4 speed
79 AMC spirit AMX V8 4speed
79 ford mustang pace car replica
If you want a Granada with a 351 & a 4 speed, you’ll have to build it yourself. 351 was auto only, and NA after 1977. ’79 Cordoba 300s were E58 360 only.
well that changes my list…delete those two
Have owned and would own again… and again.
’77Firebird
’77 T-top Aspen
’79 Ranchero GT
’74 Ford F-100
’81 El Camino
…still miss my ’76 Cordoba. Dammit.
They all sold as 150-hp slugs, but it didn’t take much to wake them up to, say, 1971 power levels. Most still had a pre-’70’s platform. Knock yourself out making the comfiest ’70’s hotrod possible. Leave it looking stock if you like.
… I still wanna early ’80’s series Monte SS.
Tried to buy one when I was 18 in 1984.
oooh…T-top Aspen…I remember those now
nice
Yep. Leather and Magnum 500’s. Maroon.
Every time I had THE car to put down, I’d read another reply and then changed my mind to what the next person wanted: Lincoln Continental Mark V, the Town Car, Chrysler R etc etc. Just for the record on that short list, I will go with the Mark V.
Then it dawned on me; why not extend the fantasy a little? Why not include the lottery? If I won the lottery — like a huge jackpot (I’d need it for what I’m about to say) — I would buy a car off eBay or whatever, modernize it with fuel injection for driveability, keep the automatic as that’s what I prefer, refresh the weaker parts with modern equivalents (that leaves the Volare out as the whole thing is a weaker part), and then drive it around till I got bored with it. Then I would sell the thing at whatever profit or loss I got (who cares with lotto) and then start over again. Repeat.
…Why settle with one 70s chariot, when you can have the whole malaise buffet? …
Meanwhile, I could do funky youtube roadtests like the Regular Car Reviews guy shown above (with my own brand of abrupt edits, tortured metaphors/similes, and engineering-student-style humour — actually I found his car reviews pretty entertaining compared to other amateur car reviews out there and probably much much better than I could every do) and have a grand old time driving up the price of oil in brougham comfort crashing around with soft suspensions and real-mans 15 inch steelies. Sweeet…
For now I’m quite happy with my Ford 62.. oops I mean Fusion that already reminds me of driving an LTD II because its “intermediate” size to the Taurus.
There are lots of them I’d love to have again and many I’d like to have.
75 or 76 Electra or Limited 2dr
73 Century Luxus
Centurion Convertible
Mark IV or V
73-79 Thunderbird
79 Ranchero
73 Cougar Convertible
74-79 Cougar XR-7
73 Mach 1 or Sportsroof.
I’d say 72 Torino Sportsroof but they are not really Malaise since they didn’t have the 5mph front bumper and the performance package actually gave you performance goodies rather than just stripes and wheels.
Do cars like this count? I can name hundreds if we’re not talking exclusively GM-Ford-Chrysler…
My opinion is no. It must be either an overweight huge engined car or something with the cheesy 70s disco look.
…and I can think of plenty of American cars I’d want too, although I’d prefer to de-Malaise most of them (for instance: an AMC Pacer or Hornet with a Jeep 4.0l). Disco Novas, Fairmonts, Turbo Buicks, ’77-’79 B-bodies, the final years of the Dart/Valiant…
You just reminded me of the movie Donnie Brasco, where the wise guys are arguing about whether a Caddy or a Lincoln was better, and the boss tells them fuhgetaboudit! The MB S-class makes ’em both look like crap. He then later buys one.
“A Lincoln’s like drivin’ a f-in’ waterbed, for chrissakes!”
I think the question should be confined to GM/Ford/Chrysler/AMC, you could probably include British Leyland too. The 70s and early 80s was actually more like the golden era for German cars like Mercedes Benz and BMW. As cars(not sales success) it all went downhill from there.