The Malaise era

[Morris Minor]

Some slightly annoying bits, but this guy is quite funny, and does a good job documenting the delights of American cars of the era. On the 1975 Ford Granada's 4.1L inline-6 : "This is downright an achievement, like it would require actual effort to make an engine this pathetic."


Wimmer will need a box of Kleenex.


https://youtu.be/hnMh5rTe-KY


https://youtu.be/WNXF5VJUr8U

[GoCougs]

Great topic!

The "Malaise" Era has some gems to be sure, beyond just the heyday holdovers (Camaro, Firebird, Challenger, Corvette), albeit not many. Though not many actual great vehicles originated in the '70s there were some advancements, such as far more available power steering/brakes/windows, electronic ignition, more compete gauge packages, cloth instead of nasty-ass vinyl seats, improved safety and generally better quality such as paint and assembly:

Mid '70s Grand Am - Trans Am motor, 4sp M/T, and a great interior:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyeKCLj9RcQ

The Mustang II was literally one of the worst cars ever built in the history of Man, however, the Cobra II was an interesting bright spot:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bNJ1dx-kwxY

Mid '70s Chevelle Laguna 454 (really just a Monte Carlo):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-vs_U2D0bU

One aspect that notable improved were trucks with the then-revolutionary 1973 "square body" GM trucks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvfjSCGLYi8

Another segment that improved were "SUVs" - though revolutionized by GM the Ram Charger wasn't too shabby (I had an '85 once upon a time):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlllVZjZ_sw

Lastly, the '77 Caprice and its stablemates were indeed revolutionary too, and deserve some credit:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jkxzYGmapqM

[Morris Minor]

I rented a Chevy Chevette in Chicago & drove it up to NE Wisconsin. This would have been 1980 or 81. It was so appalling, & dangerously slow. Everything inside was red - steering wheel, seats, dash.

Just as dire had been the Ford Thunderbird (78 or 79) I'd rented in Los Angeles the year before. 135 HP out of 5,750 cc. I remember opening opening up the hood thinking there was something wrong because it was so slow.

[FoMoJo]

I rented a Chevy Chevette in Chicago & drove it up to NE Wisconsin. This would have been 1980 or 81. It was so appalling, & dangerously slow. Everything inside was red - steering wheel, seats, dash.

Just as dire had been the Ford Thunderbird (78 or 79) I'd rented in Los Angeles the year before. 135 HP out of 5,750 cc. I remember opening opening up the hood thinking there was something wrong because it was so slow.

It wasn't until the mid '80s that American cars started to regain some of their power...even though catalytic converters were in use from the mid '70s.  By then, electronic ignitions, of a sort, were becoming popular followed by fuel injection.

[cawimmer430]

Been following Ed's Auto Review's for awhile. The guy is fun and entertaining. He drives a Hyundai XG which he loved... until... 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UMUcWZeXTQ



*NSFW* CAR PORN AHEAD 
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