Between 1975-1983, there was little to be excited about in new cars. From fearsome cars with tire-shredding horsepower and enough torque to rotate the earth, most of the muscle cars that gearheads adored had been doomed to the automotive tar pits. Detroit higher-ups were reading everything as the sure death for all performance automobiles, removing great muscle cars from their car menu. Those that remained were emasculated shells of their former selves, featuring changed styling, de-tuned engines, big bumpers, and hefty bodies. All this was a result of a combination of two oil embargos and the strict Federal emission and safety regulations of the mid-1970s. The period came to be known as the malaise era.
A dark time for the performance automobile, enthusiasts were forced to a different way of thinking about cars. EPA ratings almost became as important as horsepower for those that wanted a new car — driving for fun seemed gone forever. But that’s not to say there weren’t some standout cars. There are some nameplates that kept performance alive for the first few years, while others brought cool styles and features that make collectors and automobile aficionados hunt them today. These were the 10 coolest American classic cars of the malaise era.
10 1973-1974 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SD-455
By '74, the legendary Pontiac GTO had been reduced to being an option on the Ventura (a Chevy Nova twin) while the vaunted Ford Mustang was downsized and didn't even offer a V8 engine option. But for 1973, the Pontiac Firebird Trans Am with the Super Duty 455 engine option would be the unlikely hero for enthusiasts.
While its 455 cubic-inch motor only made 290 horsepower, but it was a godsend, with it being the highest-rated V8 from Detroit in 1973 and 1974. For its heroic effort, and ability to run a sub-14-second quarter mile, it acquired a near-mythical persona that has lasted for decades.
9 1978 Mustang King Cobra
The Mustang King Cobra isn't fondly remembered today because of its lousy performance. With the Fox-body Mustang not yet ready, the King Cobra was based on the terrible Mustang II. It was launched because Ford wanted to boost sales; Special Edition Pontiac Trans Ams with flashy styling packages were selling like hotcakes.
To give it visual pizzazz, Ford employed Trans Am-esque graphics — the car styling fashion of the day — offering 7 color options, each with a stylized cobra decal on the hood. Its coolness factor was off the charts, even if it didn't go fast, making it a solid sales success in its day. Out of 1.1 million Mustang IIs, less than 5000 were King Cobras, making it the most collectible of the 1974-78 generation.
8 1976 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible
Federal rollover rules were expected to kill the open-top body style in the US in the mid-'70s; only the Cadillac Eldorado was made as a convertible in 1976. Convinced it would be a future classic, collectors and speculators quickly snapped it up. GM capitalized on the opportunity with an even more distinctive version — the Cadillac Eldorado Convertible Bicentennial Edition (only 200 made).
Built to signify the end of the full-size American convertible era, this undeniably elegant malaise-era Cadillac remains a soft-top for ages. However, the rollover rules didn't turn out as harsh as expected — convertibles returned in 1982.
7 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
With big power gone until the ‘80s, the 1979 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 packed only 175 hp. It had a much-choked 350 cubic-inch (5.7-liter) small-block V8. The power might have been healthy for the era, but hard to swallow for those who still remembered the 360-horse screamer of yore.
Gorgeous to behold, it made this list for its looks. The Z28 rolled out of the factory sporting a selection of intentionally racy two-color accent stripes, spoilers and flashy wheels. The end result was sales rocketing to a staggering high of 84,877 units; not a surprise at all.
6 1979 Chevy Corvette
The mid-'70s C3 Corvette was very disappointing; its performance withered to a level that few could have predicted. Its big-block 454 V8 was removed by 1975. By 1979, it could only make 220 hp at best from a 5.7-liter L82 V8. So how did this ‘Vette make the list?
It was almost the complete package. For the first time, lots of features and creature comforts, only available on an optional basis, had become standard in the 1979 Corvette. Buyers could get new “high-back” leather seats, air conditioning, power windows, AM/FM radio, and tilt/telescopic steering among other goodies. 53,807 units were sold, and no other year before or after has ever beat the record.
5 1973 AMC Javelin Pierre Cardin Edition
With most American cars becoming all-show, no go badged-engineered attempts at milking once-iconic nameplates, automakers were going to extreme marketing lengths to get sales. Some associated their cars with celebrated fashion designers and brands. Good examples are the Oleg Cassini-edition AMC Matador, Gucci-edition Cadillac Seville, Pucci Lincoln Continentals, and Levi's Denim AMC Gremlin.
The best-executed fashion concept, the Pierre Cardin-edition Javelin became the most sought-after of these designer edition models. More sporty than most AMC models of the time, the exterior doesn't even come close to doing its interior justice.
4 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am SE
Sleeper hit Smokey And The Bandit is the film that brought a buying scramble for the 1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am. Featuring Starlight Black paint, gold grille inserts, gold striping, and gold accented snowflake wheels, it was called the Special Edition. It went on to become the most popular of all Pontiac's Special Editions cars from the late '70s.
Aggressive and beautiful, almost every muscle car enthusiast would want to drive it today, particularly those who want to enjoy its top trim engine – a 6.6-liter V8. Though rated at 200 hp, the figures were believed to be understated on paper, with the actual ouput being around 260 horsepower.
3 1974 Ford Bronco
The 1st generation Bronco effort in creating a cool off-roader for the weekend crowd back then is among the reasons it enjoys huge popularity nowadays. Not sharing a chassis with any other Ford, the 1st-gen Bronco had a short wheelbase and narrow body, setting it apart from larger options of its day from Chevrolet, Jeep, and International Harvester.
The 1974 Bronco is extraordinarily rare, and also one of the most valuable of the 1st generation, having become the most popular off-roader in the world for a couple of years. The model year is loved for its sleek and charming design as well as efficient driving capabilities. It was the first to be offered with an automatic transmission and use a Dana 44 front axle. Power was provided by a 302 cubic inch V8, churning out just 125 hp and 243 lb-ft of torque.
2 1973-'74 Chevrolet Chevelle Laguna
The Laguna was a top-of-the-line Chevelle model built between 1973-1976. Though often overlooked by enthusiasts for the classic 1968–1972 Chevelles, its GM A-body styling, which caught on particularly well in the '70s, looks sweet even today. The front, with a resilient urethane nose, an impact strip, parking lamps, and a unique grille, was more attractive than most everything else of the time with their massive chrome bumpers.
It is no wonder — 45-years later — Chevrolet used the two-door coupe to showcase their performance crate engines at the 2018 SEMA show. The Laguna also had a winning reputation. Fitted with a 454-cubic inch four-barrel V8 engine, it was the car of choice for NASCAR competitions.
1 1978 Dodge Lil’ Red Express
These days, pickups have transformed into lifestyle vehicles. In the old days, pickups were primarily work machines meant for farms and hauling things. Created for cruising the streets, the Dodge Lil Empress changed the game completely. Its low stance and cool mag wheels could easily catch the eyes of younger buyers looking for a sportier pickup truck.
Not held to the same emission regulations as performance cars, it was equipped with a 360 cubic-inch V8 engine that could deliver 255 horsepower, making it the grandfather of factory-built performance trucks.