Glossary / General

malaise era

9 Episode Mentions

Too Afraid to Ask

The malaise era was a time in the 1970s when cars in America became less powerful and less exciting, mainly because of rising fuel prices and new pollution laws.

Technical Definition

The malaise era refers to a period in the 1970s when American cars were characterized by a decline in performance, innovation, and quality, largely due to rising fuel prices and stricter emissions regulations. This era saw a focus on fuel economy over horsepower.

Hear It Discussed

"obviously a malaise era. There's throwback era is all these things."
(B)aT the Movies: American Graffiti (1973) Bring a Trailer Podcast 49:32

"And it was that the malaise era was actually good for us... it was a terrible time to be a car enthusiast, but"
Why The Malaise Era Was Actually Good — Carmudgeon w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep. 207 The Carmudgeon Show 12:29

"but then when you got into the malaise era of cars in america in other words when all of the emissions came in and horsepower got cut to like 180"
We Just Spent The Most We Ever Have On A Classic Car! | Ep. 340 TFL Car Chat 27:59