"Malaise" Era Cars

In reply to Flyin Mikey J:

That is awesome!

The rare Dodge Mirada race car. So ugly its cool.

Off to find the even rarer 1982 Cadillac Seville...

Great thread thanks folks! I love stupid old cars, I'd love one of these malaise cars with faux wood trim. I think without funky rednecks, mexicans, and blacks most of these cars would have disappeared, still you don't see many on the road around the bay area.

you guys have got me looking at 1977 Cadillacs.

Basterds.

I'll just put this here.

http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/4144357927.html

I like me a malibu wagon.

http://www.carcraft.com/featuredvehicles/ccrp_1105_harold_trouts_1980_chevy_malibu_wagon/

stroker wrote: you guys have got me looking at 1977 Cadillacs. Basterds.

couple of years ago I scrapped a 73 convertible.. got almost $800 for the steel alone. it was a shame it was rusted out, it had a near perfect interior and was screaming for a more modern drivetrain

stroker wrote: you guys have got me looking at 1977 Cadillacs. Basterds.

If you want big 74-76 is the biggest Fleetwood, and mandatory 500 inch engine.

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: I like me a malibu wagon. http://www.carcraft.com/featuredvehicles/ccrp_1105_harold_trouts_1980_chevy_malibu_wagon/

cool car, but not a proper "malaise" car... it was one of GM's attempts to get out of the malaise they- and the rest of the country- were in. yes, they came with craptastically slow drivetrains, but the 78 Malibu wagon was probably a good 800 pounds lighter than the 77 Malibu wagon and engines are easy to swap or de-smoggify...

poopshovel wrote: I'll just put this here. http://atlanta.craigslist.org/atl/cto/4144357927.html

Oh, you DOUBLE basterd! A big block, too, presumably...

novaderrik wrote:

Fueled by Caffeine wrote: I like me a malibu wagon. http://www.carcraft.com/featuredvehicles/ccrp_1105_harold_trouts_1980_chevy_malibu_wagon/

cool car, but not a proper "malaise" car... it was one of GM's attempts to get out of the malaise they- and the rest of the country- were in. yes, they came with craptastically slow drivetrains, but the 78 Malibu wagon was probably a good 800 pounds lighter than the 77 Malibu wagon and engines are easy to swap or de-smoggify...

This also works, but the malaise era is defined as cars from 73-83. http://www.hotrod.com/projectbuild/hrdp_1101_project_1979_chevrolet_camaro_z28/

As much as I dislike the 73-77 GM bread and butter cars, I really like this wagon. A simple bumper tuck and narrowing really improves the look of a 70s car.

http://www.speedhunters.com/2013/06/haulin-ass-groceries-holleys-chevelle-wagon/

I've always wanted one of these.

Nitroracer wrote: As much as I dislike the 73-77 GM bread and butter cars, I really like this wagon. A simple bumper tuck and narrowing really improves the look of a 70s car. http://www.speedhunters.com/2013/06/haulin-ass-groceries-holleys-chevelle-wagon/

i once saw a 74 Chevelle wagon that looked almost exactly like that, but with a Laguna S3 nose on it... it looked properly badass..

I thought the Imperial made a better looking stock car than the Mirada

Wally, I agree, but the Mirada was a better looking as a stock car than streeter.

^ All of the Malaise era cars looked better on the track than they ever did on the street. Big tires, fender flares and spoilers help a lot.

I own quite a few from the Malaise era, but none of them fit the description

84 FB RX7 body started in 1981 x 2
73 Capri x 2
80 GTV6
73 Stag x 3
72 Ranchero (Maybe a Malaise)
74 Corona Mk II wagon
86 Mustang

In reply to aussiesmg:

You are my hero!!

In reply to Strike_Zero:

You should see the full list

MadScientistMatt wrote:

Strike_Zero wrote: Mustang II

I never realized Mustang IIs could look that awesome.

The Magnum/Charger/Cordoba was available with engines approaching 200 HP. A Smog-era 360 could easily be modified or replaced with an engine making decent horsepower. In PA I can register it as an Antique. This means no inspection. ;)

fasted58 wrote:

novaderrik wrote:

stroker wrote: The '73 Grand Am looked nice, but it's a bit early for a "malaise" car.

no, that is a proper Malaise car.. it fits the definition almost perfectly- other than the color on that particular specimen..

If that's malaise, I'll have a nice helping of it plz. I regret passing one up back in the day.

Pontiac was one of the last to succumb to the malaise. One could still get a decent V8 in a 1973-74 Pontiac, including the SD455 Trans Am.

In reply to kanaric:

Heck, my 99 Neon coupe would run the 1/4 mile in the high 15s when it was new and bone stock. The truth is; only the rare big-engine muscle cars were especially quick.

My 1989 Shelby Dakota with 118,000 miles on the stock engine (with just a few bolt-ons) has run the 1/4 mile in the high 15s with severe traction problems off the line.

Would an 86 Supra fit the description of "Malaise"?