Most Powerful Malaise Era Cars

"472CID" (472CID)
05/08/2015 at 11:56 • Filed to: USELESSLISTS

The so called ‘Malaise Era’ was a dark time for American automotive enthusiasts. Between massive ugly 5mph bumpers, raising fuel prices, and emission choked engines cars from this time period had a hell of a hard time living up to their predecessor’s glory. To get an idea of how bad it was take a look at what powerful cars of that era.

Lamborghini Urracco 217hp

Rolls Royce Silver Shadow 220hp (250 Europe)

Maserati Merak SS 220hp

Porsche 928 222hp (240 Europe)

Chevrolet Corvette 230hp (165hp lowest)

Ferrari 308 240hp (255 Europe)

Jaguar XJ-S 242hp (282 Europe)

Mercedes 450SEL 6.9 250hp (286 Europe)

Porsche 911 Turbo (930) 260hp

Aston Martin V8 310hp

Ferrari 400 310hp

Maserati Khamsin 315hp

Maserati Bora 320hp (330 Europe)

Lamborghini Espada 321hp

Lamborghini Jarama 365hp

Lamborghini Countach 375hp (later downgraded to 355hp)

There’s no set definition of when exactly the “Malaise Era” was. For the purpose of this group of cars I found the years with the lowest power outputs (1975-80). In the early 1980s horsepower ratings started to climb.

In 1973 US automakers switched to net power ratings creating a relatively consistent playing field.I thought about drawing the line at 1974, however there were still some big block cars that had hadn’t quite gone down (220hp Lincoln Mark IV, 270hp 454 Corvettes, and most notably the 290hp Trans Am 455 SD.

It’s curious as to how Lamborghini was able to keep selling such powerful cars, but it’s possible that they were embellishing the rating and/or cheating at emissions (not that it really matters). It’s notable that there were only dozens of Lamborghinis, Maseratis, and Aston Martins sold in this time frame.

Note the Ferrari 512 wasn’t sold in the US, nor was the BMW M1 (I think)

DISCUSSION (33)

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 12:04

Kinja'd!!!

So excessive and beautiful...

crowmolly > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 12:05

Damn, I was all set to drop in the SD-455 with a bitch please but I think you nailed it.

The beginning of the cat converter years up until the beginning of the common domestic PCM years.

TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 12:21

The ‘73 oil crisis did hit supercar manufacturers pretty hard - Maserati sales fell by 62%, DeTomaso by 72%, Ferrari by 50% and Lamborghini by 59%. Mind you, the Esprit sold quite happily because of that frugal 2.0L engine with 160hp. Admittedly, that ridiculously light weight kept the driving dynamics great.

William Byrd > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 12:22

Great list. Such interesting design coupled with such underwhelming performance. It’s like the Top Gear used Italian Supercar challenge up in here.

I’d post a picture of it, but Kinja won’t let me. Plus, if you’re like me, you’ve seen it several times. :)

Textured Soy Protein > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 12:28

What’s the end of the malaise era for purposes of this list? Because for example the 928S came out in ‘80 in Europe and had 300 hp.

472CID > Textured Soy Protein
05/08/2015 at 12:33

For the purpose of this group of cars I found the years with the lowest power outputs (1975-80).

It’s the 5th sentence in the post.

472CID > TwinCharged - Is Now UK Opponaut
05/08/2015 at 12:35

There’s probably more to it than just the oil crisis, but yeah. It’s a wonder they survived in the US with double digit annual sales.

472CID > William Byrd
05/08/2015 at 12:40

I especially like the lead image, it’s like a prettier version of that Top Gear segment.

Shift24 > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 12:42

Was going to say missed a few but stopped at 80. Also remember the Firebird/Trans-am continued to have big blocks with the pontiac 400 and Olds 403 (both 6.6L)

And if BBs were still included in 1978 the 400 made 220 hp .

Also the 1980 Trans-am V8 301 Turbo was just under the limit at 210 hp (345 torque)

BigBlock440 > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 12:56

Holy crap, the Italians of the era were pretty homely.

dr861 > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 13:02

UMMMMMMMM FORGOT SOMETHING?

Kinja'd!!!

Textured Soy Protein > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 13:07

Kinja'd!!!

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 13:16

I’m not quite sure the 911 Turbo should be part of this list. There’s hardly anything underwhelming or dark about it; well, aside from the people it may have scared to death, or mutilated.....or killed.

William Byrd > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 13:18

It really is. I’ve got a “budget exotics” piece in the works, those are some great options.

472CID > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
05/08/2015 at 13:31

It’s on the list because it was sold in the US between 1975 and 1980, just like all the other cars on the list.

Shift24 > dr861
05/08/2015 at 13:40

dem old ohio plates....

but he said from 1975 to 80

dr861 > Shift24
05/08/2015 at 13:53

Ahhh, missed that. Although the 928 was produced until 95...

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 14:15

Fair enough.

DrScientist > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 14:51

this may be the best list you’ve created yet!

also, what are you using as cutpoints for malaise era?

oh duh.... i was too busy looking at the pretty pictures to read. sorry!

Trevor Slattery, ACTOR > BigBlock440
05/08/2015 at 14:58

Man, the Italians are overrated on the styling front when taken as a whole. Especially once you factor in interiors.

Birddog > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 15:12

Higher HP foreign cars of the Malaise era often had technologically superior engines when compared to U.S. makes. DOHC V12s, OHC V8s with relatively reliable Fuel Injection systems were far superior to a QuadraJet fuelled Pushrod 350 with retarded cam timing, a Lean Burn 360 or a 2Bbl 302.

Those engines came at a price though. People weren’t cross shopping Lambos or Mercedes with Corvettes or Mavericks.

It’s really a shame that U.S. automakers didn’t take things like FI and OHC engines more seriously back then. All they looked at was how many Vinyl Tops, Opera Lights, and Spoke Wheel Covers they could sell.

Let’s coin a term, shall we? Forget Malaise. It’s really Iacoccaitis or maybe Lido’s Shuffle. All the faux luxury you can handle.

Birddog > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 15:18

I would say 1982 or even as late as 1984 before Malaise died.

I still remember the re-introduction of the Mustang in 1982. WooHoo! 153 HP, The Boss is back!”.

472CID > Birddog
05/08/2015 at 15:46

I wanted to keep it simple and just say cars of the 70s, but the tail end of the horsepower wars in the early 70s throws the list off. If I did go into the 80s a few of these cars would have slightly higher numbers.

newsmctado > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 16:07

I had never heard of either the Lamborghini Espada or Jarama. And, looking at them, I think I know why. Talk about a butter face.

472CID > Birddog
05/08/2015 at 16:20

Yeah the Europeans seem to be ahead of the curve on fuel systems. It’s still hard to believe Aston Martin, Maserati, and Lamborghini with their relatively tiny R&D could get massive V8s and V12s past emissions.

aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe > 472CID
05/08/2015 at 17:02

Fun Fact: when the US starting making the safety and emissions changes in the 70’s some of the Italian car manufacturers got the bright idea to put a date plate on the cars from 1969, even if it was a 1976 car it was “technically” made in 1969 so it didn’t have to comply with the laws. It worked for a while until the US customs started to catch on to it.

472CID > aberson Bresident of the FullyAssed Committe
05/08/2015 at 18:22

that’s an awesome story if true.