Glossary / General

malaise era

12 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

"So what they did essentially is in the late 1970s and the malaise era, in order to keep the performance the same as the 1977, they gave it a bigger engine and then strapped it full of emissions..."
Is The 2027 R2 Going To Make Or Break Rivian? | Ep. 342 TFL Car Chat 33:23