If we use the time scale of 1974 - 1989 as the "malaise era", what 10 cars stand out as the best looking (not necessarily the BEST) from this era? If you don't want to do a full top-10 list, throw up some candidates you'd nominate for a list.
(http://images.classiccars.com/classifieds/152908_10832918_1987_Porsche_911%2BCarrera%2BTurbo.jpg)
(http://cdn.barrett-jackson.com/staging/carlist/items/Fullsize/Cars/139378/139378_Front_3-4_Web.JPG)
(https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ7o8ePoDYlukTi5nwFc4kaCwvErRbNq9fZVZt9MPoZHmZqVvZ3)
(http://www.ferraricraft.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/IMG_8664.JPG)
(http://www.carpictures.com/pics/full/04CNM194545067A/Lamborghini-Countach-5000-Quattrovalvole-red-1988-04CNM194545067A.jpeg)
(http://best-carz.com/data_images/gallery/models/bmw-633/bmw-633-04.jpg)
(http://i704.photobucket.com/albums/ww44/auctionsandbeyond/1988%20Pontiac%20Fiero%20GT%20T%20tops/100_8204.jpg)
Quote from: hotrodalex on April 02, 2015, 07:57:34 PM
(http://images.classiccars.com/classifieds/152908_10832918_1987_Porsche_911%2BCarrera%2BTurbo.jpg)
This 1000 times over
BMW M1 anyone? Idk if the Toyota Soarer or RX7 count
Was the 240Z still in production in '74? Or was it the 280Z by then! But either way I nominate it for this list. Along with the C4 Vette.
1978 Z/28. Didn't have the exposed bumpers of the '74-'77 models or the excessive Trans Am-style aero/body cladding of the '79+:
(http://www.2040-cars.com/_content/cars/images/51/427551/001.jpg)
1986 Mustang GT. Similar to the '78 Z/28 in that it was the last year before the mega cladded Mustang GT hit in '87 (and Taurus-like headlights):
(http://mustangattitude.com/mustang/1986/1986_00009_01.jpg)
1974 Plymouth 'Cuda. I was never a huge fan but it deserves mention for hanging on till 1974 relatively untouched in terms of styling:
(http://www.moparrebellion.com/images/SAlexander74cuda.jpg)
1984 Z/28. Similar theme - last year before cladding (of the '85 IROC-Z):
(http://i242.photobucket.com/albums/ff210/BlueStreak_95/My_cars/100_6504c.jpg)
1978 260Z. Last of the original Z car before the square'd 280ZX of '82:
(http://assets.hemmings.com/story_image/453331-1000-0.jpg?rev=2)
Tons of European and Japanese cars, dang. If the point of the thread is to find the diamonds in the rough, it should be limited to American cars.
(http://bringatrailer.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/1988_Ford_Mustang_LX_5.0_Notchback_Coupe_Front_1.jpg)
I can agree with that.
Quote from: Rupert on April 02, 2015, 11:10:43 PM
Tons of European and Japanese cars, dang. If the point of the thread is to find the diamonds in the rough, it should be limited to American cars.
Yeah, I agree
1983 Thunderbird. It offered a new profile to domestic coupes.
(http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/gallery/FORDThunderbird-2490_8.jpg)
(http://www.velocityjournal.com/images/stk/2000/149/bk1973centuryregal14959495_600.jpg)
Just sticking with American cars:
My favorites already listed/pictured above:
Gen 3 Camaro.
'77+ Gen 2 Firebirds (I prefer the 70-73 Camaros to the '74-'81).
'86+ Pontiac Fiero Fastbacks
Not yet mentioned:
Dodge Daytona
(http://imganuncios.mitula.net/1987_dodge_daytona_3150055421804031364.jpg)
Chevy Monza Fastback (includes similar Buick Skyhawk, Olds Starfire, and Pontiac Sunbird variants)
(http://www.gmphotostore.com/images/53218462_pr.jpg)
AMC Matador Coupe
(http://autocognito.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/1974-amc-matador-coupe.jpg)
My parents had a Monza and Laser (same as the Daytona)
Quote from: FoMoJo on April 03, 2015, 05:33:58 AM
1983 Thunderbird. It offered a new profile to domestic coupes.
(http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/gallery/FORDThunderbird-2490_8.jpg)
+1
Quote from: hotrodalex on April 03, 2015, 12:54:49 PM
My parents had a Monza and Laser (same as the Daytona)
I should also mention that my dad bumped the boost on the Laser from 7 psi to 14. :lol:
Gonna throw in the '74 Dodge Dart Sport. Again, not exactly sure it counts since it's a holdover from the heyday (and lasted till '76). I actually had one of these, a '72, which at that point was called the Dodge Demon.
(http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h252/dcastine/1974%20Dodge%20Dart%20Sport/20130612_190327.jpg)
The Buick Reatta was pretty cool looking. And it had a futuristic CRT display blazing away in your face.
Quote from: Laconian on April 03, 2015, 06:34:33 PM
The Buick Reatta was pretty cool looking. And it had a futuristic CRT display blazing away in your face.
Touchscreen, even.
The '74 Caddy was nice. Still looked like a Caddy, anyway.
(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4050/4209481496_11a54ecce8.jpg)
(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcThbxI8d4SeCivtp6FKh3LSkIO52h5gVyN-4r705GyUyukiYsQd)
Quote from: Gotta-Qik-G8 on April 02, 2015, 09:36:55 PM
Was the 240Z still in production in '74? Or was it the 280Z by then! But either way I nominate it for this list. Along with the C4 Vette.
260Z
Quote from: Gotta-Qik-G8 on April 07, 2015, 06:37:37 PM
:ohyeah:
The L26 motor was fairly worthless. The L28E was much better.
Ferrari F40
Quote from: SVT666 on April 07, 2015, 07:30:14 PM
Ferrari F40
Eh, fantastic, but good looking? The 288 GTO is better looking, IMHO.
(https://c1.staticflickr.com/9/8287/7616748718_a836d01f07_b.jpg)
288GTO was the most attractive of the mid-engine hyper-Ferraris.
I kinda like the '78 Corvette. It was slow by Corvette standards and little more than a porkier '63 Corvette, but it was still a 2 door V8 RWD sports coupe in a sea of econoboxes and squared off sedans.
I like the bubble back rear window.
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on April 07, 2015, 09:03:59 PM
I kinda like the '78 Corvette. It was slow by Corvette standards and little more than a porkier '63 Corvette, but it was still a 2 door V8 RWD sports coupe in a sea of econoboxes and squared off sedans.
I like the bubble back rear window.
I like the styling of the C3 Corvette too. Though that came out before the era in question, so I'm not sure if it's topic appropriate.
Quote from: MX793 on April 07, 2015, 08:56:05 PM
288GTO was the most attractive of the mid-engine hyper-Ferraris.
Toss-up with the 512bb.
(http://markweinguitarlessons.com/forums/attachments/lot-370-1978-ferrari-512bb-jpg.15354/)
False.
(http://i.imgur.com/7Kr3q4K.jpg)
Quote from: MX793 on April 07, 2015, 09:05:55 PM
I like the styling of the C3 Corvette too. Though that came out before the era in question, so I'm not sure if it's topic appropriate.
Still within the period. I'm also a C3 fan, but I prefer the buttress cars of pre 1978. The nicest are pre-malaise... '68-'72, without the plastic front or rear bumpers.
Quote from: hotrodalex on April 07, 2015, 09:10:19 PM
False.
(http://i.imgur.com/7Kr3q4K.jpg)
Ugh, the real (original) 512bb.
(http://assets.hemmings.com/uimage/38156317-770-0.jpg?rev=1)
Quote from: Rockraven on April 07, 2015, 09:06:56 PM
Toss-up with the 512bb.
(http://markweinguitarlessons.com/forums/attachments/lot-370-1978-ferrari-512bb-jpg.15354/)
The 512/Testarossa wasn't a hyper-Ferrari. It was their V12 GT car of that era; successor of the Daytona line and predecessor of the 550 Maranello. The 288GTO was Ferrari's ultimate performance machine of its day and was successor to subsequent hyper-Ferraris like the F40, F50, and Enzo. It was a racing homologation special.
Quote from: Rockraven on April 07, 2015, 07:41:09 PM
Eh, fantastic, but good looking? The 288 GTO is better looking, IMHO.
288 GTO is sweet as hell, but the F40 is jaw dropping. It looks amazing.
Quote from: MX793 on April 07, 2015, 09:26:37 PM
The 512/Testarossa wasn't a hyper-Ferrari. It was their V12 GT car of that era; successor of the Daytona line and predecessor of the 550 Maranello. The 288GTO was Ferrari's ultimate performance machine of its day and was successor to subsequent hyper-Ferraris like the F40, F50, and Enzo. It was a racing homologation special.
I get the 288GTO confused with the 308 GTB. Didn't realize the 288GTO was that fast.
Quote from: MX793 on April 07, 2015, 09:26:37 PM
The 512/Testarossa wasn't a hyper-Ferrari. It was their V12 GT car of that era; successor of the Daytona line and predecessor of the 550 Maranello. The 288GTO was Ferrari's ultimate performance machine of its day and was successor to subsequent hyper-Ferraris like the F40, F50, and Enzo. It was a racing homologation special.
You're correct.
Quote from: hotrodalex on April 07, 2015, 09:36:56 PM
I get the 288GTO confused with the 308 GTB. Didn't realize the 288GTO was that fast.
40 more HP and ~750 lbs lighter than the 512bb.
Tough one. Too many beautiful designs to list.
1974 Citroen SM
(http://3oneseven.com/wp-content/uploads/HLIC/citroen-sm_1974.jpg)
1974 Chrysler New Yorker
(http://www.history-of-cars.com/images/chrysler/1974-new-yorker-211-002.jpg)
1974 Dodge Monaco
(http://s8.postimg.org/gp0orxg45/dodge074.jpg)
1974 Lincoln Continental Mark IV
(http://cdn.barrett-jackson.com/staging/carlist/items/Fullsize/Cars/64160/64160_Front_3-4_Web.jpg)
1974-1980 Mercedes-Benz W116
(http://fastestlaps.com/photos/mercedes_450_sel_69_w116.jpg)
1975-1985 Mercedes-Benz W123
(http://s1.cdn.autoevolution.com/images/gallery/MERCEDESBENZE-Klasse-W123--1969_4.jpg)
1975 Rolls Royce Camargue
(http://www.luks-avto.ru/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/Rolls-Royce-Camargue.jpg)
1978 Cadillac Seville
(http://automotivemileposts.com/cadillac/seville/images/1978/seville1978eleganteprofile.jpg)
1980 Cadillac DeVille
(http://www.mjcclassiccars.com/cars/80CadillacSedanDeVille/02.jpg)
1981 Cadillac Seville
(http://static.cargurus.com/images/site/2010/10/08/10/47/1980_cadillac_seville-pic-3960747174341801215.jpeg)
And here's number 11. Why 11? Because I like to go one step beyond! - Nostalgia Critic :lol:
1981 Oldsmobile Delta 88
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/45/81delta88.jpg)
Quote from: CLKid on April 07, 2015, 09:20:17 PM
(http://assets.hemmings.com/uimage/38156317-770-0.jpg?rev=1)
Very nice, but the Jaguar XJ6 was introduced in 1968, several years before the period commonly known as the Malaise Era.
This was possibly the most enduring and influential design to come from the so-called Malaise Era, the Volkswagen Golf Mk I, as designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The simplicity and purity of this design still looks striking, even more than forty years after its introduction.
(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSjX7AxV6Jek_JM4QBkrBxsu4Xc7V-3AEFziFYe0Owo27Szc6Dn)
Wow, so much horrible from the American companies in this era.
I remember when the Taurus came out. Everyone turned to look at it when it drove by.
Quote from: SVT666 on April 08, 2015, 08:00:01 AM
I remember when the Taurus came out. Everyone turned to look at it when it drove by.
I would consider the Taurus post-malaise.
Quote from: Madman on April 08, 2015, 08:09:56 AM
I would consider the Taurus post-malaise.
I'd buy that. Even the T-Bird from 1983 was pretty ahead of its competition and was revolutionary design.
Quote from: Madman on April 08, 2015, 08:09:56 AM
I would consider the Taurus post-malaise.
Ford Taurus debuted in 1986. That's still during the malaise era.
Quote from: SVT666 on April 08, 2015, 09:55:42 AM
Ford Taurus debuted in 1986. That's still during the malaise era.
Detroit was emerging out of the Malaise Era by the mid-1980s. The Taurus was a definite sign the Malaise was over.
Quote from: SVT666 on April 08, 2015, 09:55:42 AM
Ford Taurus debuted in 1986. That's still during the malaise era.
Yeah, but it was a few years ahead of its time. It and the T-Bird and Sable/Cougar heralded the end of the malaise era. Unfortunately, GM and Chrysler kept the malaise going until the end of the decade (longer, actually).
If that's the case, take the Reatta off, too.
Quote from: 2o6 on April 08, 2015, 12:01:48 PM
If that's the case, take the Reatta off, too.
I always thought the Reatta looked like a Pacer with a trunk.
???
I think the Reatta has really gorgeous proportions, and the design bucks for the car were very cutting edge.
Keep in mind this styling buck was created in 1982
(http://autosofinterest.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/1982-Buick-Reatta-scale-model.jpg)
Quote from: 2o6 on April 08, 2015, 12:14:22 PM
???
I think the Reatta has really gorgeous proportions, and the design bucks for the car were very cutting edge.
Keep in mind this styling buck was created in 1982
(http://autosofinterest.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/1982-Buick-Reatta-scale-model.jpg)
The styling buck is nice, but that's not what we got, is it.
The final car is still fucking gorgeous. It's got great proportions for a FWD coupe.
Quote from: 2o6 on April 08, 2015, 12:22:10 PM
The final car is still fucking gorgeous. It's got great proportions for a FWD coupe.
TETO...
Quote from: 2o6 on April 08, 2015, 12:22:10 PM
The final car is still fucking gorgeous. It's got great proportions for a FWD coupe.
Agreed.
Quote from: 2o6 on April 08, 2015, 12:01:48 PM
If that's the case, take the Reatta off, too.
Definitely. The Reatta was undoubtedly post-malaise.
Quote from: Rockraven on April 07, 2015, 09:10:33 PM
Still within the period. I'm also a C3 fan, but I prefer the buttress cars of pre 1978. The nicest are pre-malaise... '68-'72, without the plastic front or rear bumpers.
I'm not a fan of the buttress. I'm sure it was terribly unaerodynamic.
Give me a 165 hp 1975 convertible:
(http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1970/1975/75red2.jpg)
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on April 08, 2015, 05:39:04 PM
I'm not a fan of the buttress. I'm sure it was terribly unaerodynamic.
Give me a 165 hp 1975 convertible:
I read those C3s were more aerodynamic in reverse.
Quote from: Madman on April 08, 2015, 03:31:34 PM
Definitely. The Reatta was undoubtedly post-malaise.
I'm not convinced. It screams 80's GM malaise, especially the interior.
"Malaise" goes beyond styling. Poor build quality and underwhelming performance (165 hp Corvettes, anyone?) are a big part of it too. It just so happened that one of the worst eras for car styling corresponded to one of the worst eras for cars in general. Quite fitting, looking back at it.
Quote from: MX793 on April 08, 2015, 06:29:31 PM
"Malaise" goes beyond styling. Poor build quality and underwhelming performance (165 hp Corvettes, anyone?) are a big part of it too. It just so happened that one of the worst eras for car styling corresponded to one of the worst eras for cars in general. Quite fitting, looking back at it.
So true.
Quote from: Madman on April 08, 2015, 06:38:23 AM
Very nice, but the Jaguar XJ6 was introduced in 1968, several years before the period commonly known as the Malaise Era.
Which is why that picture is of a Series III. :lol:
Quote from: 280Z Turbo on April 08, 2015, 05:39:04 PM
I'm not a fan of the buttress. I'm sure it was terribly unaerodynamic.
Give me a 165 hp 1975 convertible:
(http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1970/1975/75red2.jpg)
For that Series I'd prefer a 68-72 with the chrome bumpers.
Quote from: Madman on April 08, 2015, 06:38:23 AM
Very nice, but the Jaguar XJ6 was introduced in 1968, several years before the period commonly known as the Malaise Era.
This was possibly the most enduring and influential design to come from the so-called Malaise Era, the Volkswagen Golf Mk I, as designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The simplicity and purity of this design still looks striking, even more than forty years after its introduction.
(https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSjX7AxV6Jek_JM4QBkrBxsu4Xc7V-3AEFziFYe0Owo27Szc6Dn)
The details are exquisite. One of the best designs of all time
Quote from: 12,000 RPM on April 16, 2015, 07:46:05 PM
The details are exquisite. One of the best designs of all time
hell yea it is
Quote from: CLKid on April 15, 2015, 08:32:46 PM
Which is why that picture is of a Series III. :lol:
Yes, it's a Series III but the car is still a (mostly) pre-malaise design.
More true malaise era gems - GM's "performance" variants of the G body!
Buick Grand National/GNX:
(http://media.caranddriver.com/images/10q4/369508/1987-buick-regal-grand-national-photo-379693-s-1280x782.jpg)
Olds Hurst 442:
(http://www.autotraderclassics.com/images/a/cms/images/articles/guides/future_collectible_1983-84_hurst_olds/166995.jpg)
Chevy Monte Carlo SS:
(http://images.classiccars.com/classifieds/217626_11708760_1988_Chevrolet_Monte%2BCarlo%2BSS.jpg)
Pontiac Grand Pix 2+2:
(https://pontiacoaklandclub.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/1986grandprixaerocoupe.jpg)
Quote from: CLKid on April 15, 2015, 08:34:48 PM
For that Series I'd prefer a 68-72 with the chrome bumpers.
So would everybody. But 68-72 weren't malaise era cars. They still had the LT-1 and big block engines.
It would be oh so easy to make one of these scream, even here in CA, 76 and below are now smog exempt.
(http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1970/1975/75red2.jpg)
Chrome bumpers :wub:
(http://i.imgur.com/VQuaGHf.jpg)