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Rated 4.5

New Malaise Era?

Rory Carroll

April 14, 2009

Chevy Citation X-11- High performance during the malaise era

For most, the late 1960s and very early 1970s represent a high-water mark for the driver's car. Even 40 years later, we still enjoy the purity of experience that comes with performance cars of that era. Car makers were mastering the art of building and selling cars that accelerated, steered and stopped exceptionally well; even if it was a rare car that could do all three.

In the "malaise era" that began in about 1973, cars got heavier and primitive emissions equipment strangled engine power. Manufacturers had to rethink their formulas for acceleration, steering and stopping. Today, cars built before 1973 are generally more prized than their often more pedestrian offspring.

Matt Stone, Executive Editor of Motor Trend suggests that we may be at the end of a similar period, "In 1973, we had a supposed fuel crisis; we had the Clean Air Act expanding. Automotive enthusiasm fell out of public favor for a while. Did people stop loving cars? No, and they aren't going to. But at that point in time the general public's perception of what a car was supposed to do changed."

In the early 1980s, thanks to cars like the Mazda RX-7 and the 5.0 Mustang, we saw the beginning of an industry wide renaissance that has continued through the present day. Carmakers today are increasingly able to build safe, reliable and engaging cars.

Jamie Kitman is the New York Bureau Chief of Automobile Magazine and US Editor of Top Gear. He says that today's great performance cars could be tomorrow's sought-after collectibles. "Whenever a car is tremendously successful or desirable in its time, it stands a good chance of being collectible in the future." This has been the case in the past, but as Kitman put it, the automotive industry is in "uncharted waters, forgive the biblical imagery, but this is cataclysmic."

In the midst of a global recession and increasing pressure for environmental responsibility the public's expectation for what a car should be is changing. Are we now seeing the last great driver's cars before we transition into a new era of utilitarianism? If so, will today's crop of driver's cars be tomorrow's blue chip collectibles?

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Comments

  1. I have owned many cars and trucks,now I own a 1969 chevey truck its my last its a keeper. I have bought a lot vehicles new and old I started at 16 yrs. but Iam done, the dealers sale their units at top dollar,but no trade in, it has always been that why but now the money is impossible. Back in 1959 I bought a Ford costom for 2927.57 new last year I bought 2008 Colorado for in the 20,000 before any add on.TO MUCH,TO MUCH. 3217 Bliss Rd Orange Park Fla. Don Yeager Thank very much for your service.

  2. We have no one to blame but ourselves for the mess this country is in. We expect our politically correct government to take care of all of our wants and "needs". Our values are largely based on "What is in it for me" and "how much money can I make out of it?". To answer your question I will ask you one. Do you think Henry Ford could make it in the auto industry today? Andy

  3. I live near Mt. Olive NC where they just had there annual Pickel festival and I saw some of the nicest old and newer vehicles I have seen in a while. The love for autos will never die but how much we spend and drive them will. I own a 1965 Buick, 1961 Chevy and 2000 Corvette I love them all the same. There is nothing like taking an old car or truck and bringing it to life! I believe we are seeing a different movement of vehicles, but still the love of these are the same.

  4. Having lived through the "malaise era" thirty plus years ago, and having worked for Chevrolet dealerships the entire time, I can tell you the cars built today are far superior to the rides of the "good old days". Having a new Camaro, Challenger or Mustang today that goes,stops and handles better than any of their predecessors ever dreamed makes todays rides collectibles and enjoyable cars for many years to come.

  5. I wonder who was watching the shop all these years that they could be trouble in such a short time after the joe public stop spending there money Maybe after its all said and done they might statr building a car or truck that people can aford I guess Ill just keep the old 58 Impala for awhile longer D Jensen Salt Lake City Utah

  6. Wondering if Hagarty and others are involved in some kind of lobby in Washington. I am a member of the aircraft owners and pilot assoc. and boy do they let Washington hear about us, otherwise general aviation would have been destroyed by now. I am not worried so far about my 59 Caddie Coupe de Ville, although gas seems like a weeks salary when I fill it up, so my concession is to not drive to far away car show, they are all within or less than a hundred miles.

  7. After reading these comments, I also fear what every true collector fears. In this current politically correct, "green" pressured society, I am waiting my order from the government to surrender my collector cars or face impossible "carbon taxes", or possible prison time for refusing to give them up. History will be written to show us poor car guys were among the evil breed who wanted to destroy the planet. What on earth has happened to this country?

  8. I do believe, strongly, that we, the great United States of America, will rebound from this terrible fix that we find ourselves allbeit through no fault of our own but out of the bowels of greed. I do believe that car ing, as we know it, will resume to be a huge industry and it will enjoy all the acceptance then that it does now. HOWEVER, where I do see the downfall is when gas becomes a hard-to-get commodity. I am 55 years young at this point and again, I do believe that I will see that day in my lifetime. When that occurs, the car building, restoration, will comr to a screeching halt. Makes sense, yes????

  9. People want fuel efficient autos, but 4000 lb vehicles with V8 engines still roll out of Detroit en masse. US manufacturers gave up on manufacturing small autos 25 years ago. They simply buy small foreign autos from their competitors,then re-tag & re-sell them in their showrooms next to the US made models. What a warped business philosophy. No wonder Toyota has surpassed GM as No. 1.

  10. Offering less models and dealerships is a good thing. GMC and Chevrolet trucks are built on the same plant. GM has to many dealers and models. Ford makes to many vehicles. Lean and mean will get success going forward. We can still build a Corvette and Shelby. My 1996 Buick Roadmaster makes 27mpg hwy and 20 in town with huge power. The LT1 engine was also a clean engine.My 1981 jetta diesel made 56mpg hwy in 1981. We have to slim down. we have glutted the world with cars like the Chinese have gluted the world with cheap junk we really don,t need. AMERICANS with GODS help can build anything needed and still make it enjoyable to drive and wax!!!

  11. The comments seem to be mostly of a similar vein of thought, classic automobiles never go out of style. I agree with this philosophy however I do feel we are in for a dark period for auto manufacturing. It will get worse befor it gets better. This is especially true if the proposed "Cap and Trade" legislation is passed. Three factors come into play carbon emmisions, affordability and government meddling in the auto industry. Those who have muscle cars and classics of better times, hang onto them, their value is going up-up-up. John F. Edwards

  12. Automobiles will always be collectable, for a price. 500 years from now, if the planet is still functioning as a platform for human existance, someone will have a 32 roadster for sale.

  13. My '38 Ford pickup consistently gets about 40 SMILES per gallon.

  14. Too Bad hagerty wont work with some of its insureres in hard times like this. Thats why I had to drop 4 vehicles fromt my policy. Hagerty needs to work on monthly billing and allowing ALL insured costomers the option of Comp only.

  15. Looks like old cars will only be allowed to be kept on display..not driven..as you would an antique gun..they will never take away your old car..but..will probably make you leave it in your garage for show to friends and fellow enthusiasts.. Keep buying old vehicles and old guns..Boys..we can beat those Liberal idiots..!!

  16. The older cars and hot rods will continue even if the cost of fuel climbs again, my frends are buying these type of vehicle because of the value, they are not like the stock market where you will lose all your money. Gas will be around for a long time coming and when it stops then the hot rods my die at that time.

  17. I think that now more than ever before we people as classic car owners have to rise up and be proud of our AMERICAN CARS. We neer to push that quality is still there and with restructuring we will rise as a leader in the industry. But we need to start by beliveing.

  18. "Green" initiatives are only about new taxes and more money for companies who make "green" products. I assure you that we will be paying much more for these green products and services. It is all a fraud! Global warming is a LIE! We need to elect officials who represent America and American history. And Detroit needs to listen more to their engineers and less to their accountants and start producing quality products. I have a 1971 custom Bronco which I plan on driving for 30 more years.

  19. The auto industry designers are no longer creating works of art that have become icons recognized by collectors world wide. Today they are producing transportation vehicles and most of them look like a bar of soap. While undoubtably safer and more comfortable with leather seating surfaces, air conditioning, air bags and GPS they are boring and most will be driven into the ground and end up at the crusher.

  20. Times have sure changed... I would love to see the oil companies billions of dollars in profits go towards alternative automobile engine research. Don’t tell me we can’t get more mileage out of our cars. My 2005 family car turns 2,800 rpm at 65 miles per hour. Could they add another gear in the transmission that lowers the rpm’s back to 2,200 at highway speeds? I’m sorry that the big auto companies, especially General Motors are not making profits. It SHOULD NOT be the responsibility of American Taxpayers to help a company that has not stayed with the times and has mismanaged itself to the ground. I’m sorry to say the American auto industry has shot itself in the foot again! Detroit has not, and still to this day, can’t compete with its competition and in business, either you build a better mousetrap or close your doors. Ron from New Jersey

  21. By Peter Competiello - Morganville, NJ I believe the problem that the american automobile faces is not in the engineering or design of the vehicles that are being produced - look at the Mustang, Challenger and the new Camaro sales. The issue is the amount of disposable income the future generations are going to have. The government and environmentalists are not friends of the collector, or the collector automobile...They are friends of other nations, allowing sub par quality and cheap labor products to be sold to the american people and forcing their views on us. Just today, GM announced Pontiac is no longer. It is up to the car people to teach younger folks and make sure the american automobile stays.

  22. I am restoring my dads 25 Model T Truck. We decided to pull the head and found a piston with an ear broken off. The design of todays pistons are very similar to those decades ago.. I would say we are entering an automotive age where power and performance will be unmatched. It wont be fueled by oil.. I am certain I will be able to cruise my camaro for years to come...

  23. We are facing a new day in the car hobby as well as cars from the "Big Three", or they mite be called the not so big three these days. I kept my hopes up for a long time that the American car builders would get it together and do the right thing. However greed, unions, bean counters, and the government seem to be winning. America is at a crossroad and my question is will we make the right turn. What we have in America today is not lack of ability, but lack of character and integrity. Wake up America! Darrell Cameron, an American for America.

  24. This country was built by automotive know how and even the corupt bankers it will survive. I hope that the people will just have faith in the good old USA.

  25. America loves it's cars. No matter what. It's what it means to be American. The Government is throwing out the baby w/ the bathwater. It is a sign of the times. I know we the car loving people will overcome. Meanwhile enjoy the ride!

  26. There will always be gear/motor/wire heads interested in racing, maintaining, & collecting some type of vehicle. There is enough oil shale in the uppermidwest for another 50+ years, even if not, hot rodding and the car culture will be popular with too many people to ever go completly away.

  27. I am concerned about this $3500 credit to buy a new car. This has already sent many potential restoration project to the crusher out of greed to get a relatively meaningless credit to buy a new car. Most dealerships have more than that in their "Sell-A-New-Car" bargaining power anyway. They just make more money on the sale and we loose some future classic car beauties in the process. Government will never understand!

  28. Not all environmentalist believe in global warming or hybrids and electrics cars. As an environmentalist and owner of a Triumph TR8, I believe that the American Car Industry will always set the bar for all car companys. The US Government need to back away from intruding into the business of the American Car Industry.

  29. My family has always had a passion for cars. Between my father, myself, and my son we own the following : 50 Merc, 57 chevy, 65 Vette, 67 Cougar, 69 GTO, and a 70 Charger R/T. My fathers 50 Merc has a flathead v8, 3speed on the tree, and OD. It is as comfortable as any new car and gets 25mpg. Many of todays cars weigh much less and are getting the same mileage. I believe the the auto industry has not done their job. In fifty years we are in the same position with less style. I fear that the major mfgrs are going to have to go through bankruptcy and get rid of the labor unions to once again become strong and regain their place in the industry. The Camaro, Mustang, and Challenger are bound to be the next generation of collectors.

  30. People tend to want the car they could not afford in High School. I do not see kids today desiring performance cars they we did. I don't see kids with car posters on their walls. I think in the next 5 to 10 years the exotics will become the hot items. Those are the cars kids had posters of 15 years ago. After that it will likely be the tuner cars, but not to the same level as the 60's cars were.

  31. We have been experiencing transition to more responsible motoring for some time. Consumers are shifting to vehicles that make sense for their use as well as the planet. That said, our love affair with superb design, performance and manufacturing as exemplified in Delage, Bugatti,Duesenberg, Mercedes, Rolls Royce etc will never end. Safe motoring!

  32. Coming from my point of view the politicians are nothing but puppets of the extreme wealthy of the world. Therefore I see a very long life for classic autos - and gasoline available also! Why? Remember the super wealthy of the world drive or own classic cars also. We may have to move however to more friendlier states than CA,NY or looney MA!

  33. Look at the Ford Mustang since 2005, look at the Ponitac Solstace,and several Jeep brands..there is still excellent design in American automobiles. The American spirit will always rise in out automobiles.Packard, Nash, American Motors, Oldsmobile all folded and we survived and we will survive now as well. David Leibowitz

  34. When people surrender operational control to politicians - management firings - performance and design dictates will soon emanate from Washington as well. Yes! That will be the end of an era.

  35. Just because there is a push for alternate sources of power such as electric does not mean that performance will be hampered. Has anyone heard of the Tesla?

  36. Through these changes affecting automotive design, the U.S. auto industry management has insisted that American cars were different from "foreign" cars, which were disdained. Meanwhile the American public was gradually waking up to the benefits of higher quality and better handling availabe in these competitors who have been overtaking the American car industry for many years. Even now, American car company management do not understand what they need to do to provide cars as good as or better than those available from other countries, although they are coming closer. The question is, are they too late?

  37. I can see in the very near future gas prices in the $5.00 a gallon range . The oil companies are just to greedy! This will bring on the demand for more fuel efficient cars at the price of performance. The new Mustang,Charger and Camaro should be the collector cars of the future,just as their 60s and 70s counterparts are now . I only wonder in 30 or 40 years will there be any fuel to enjoy these collector cars with. I beleive electric cars will be the future and the demand for fossel fuels will not be there. With less of a demand for gas the little amount that will be on the market will cause the price to go beyond the reach of most people. Good by Muscle Cars it was fun while it lasted! Danny Coffman

  38. AS LONG AS THERE ARE CLASSIC (COLLECTOR) CARS TO BE PURCHASED AND PARTS ARE AVAILABLE FOR RESTORATIONS OR REPAIRS, I WILL ALWAYS BE IN THE MARKET AND I WILL CONTINUE TO PASS ALONG THE HISTORY AND DESIRE FOR THE MUSCLE CAR CRAZE ALONG TO MY SONS AND OTHERS WHO ARE INTERESTED. I WILL CONTINUE TO GO TO AS MANY CAR SHOWS AS POSSIBLE TO SUPPORT THE OTHER CARS AND OWNERS. JESS FEDRICK

  39. There are so many thoughts, disciplines and valued mainstays in this new economy that are being re evaluated. As people learn how to respond long term to having roughly 60% of their savings and discresionary income, I have observed that all but the most desired and collectible cars have taken a similar hit to their value. There are very few current models in production in any type of quantity that will prove "collectible" 30 years from now. Reactionary manufacturers have been forced to build uninteresting little Coleman coolers that are chasing engineering specifications that are widely un attainable. A whole generation of our youth is no longer appreciating the art and beauty of the automobie. Hold on to your Vipers, new model Mustangs and the new Camaro, if it really happens because those are our last hope for a hobby I have enjoyed my whole life.

  40. It is time not only to re-think high performance cars, powered with alternative feul as well as gasoline powered, but to re-think ethanol added to gasoline. Ethanol not only does not significantly improve gas mileage, but it is harmful to engines, seals, gaskets and non-metalic feul lines, and a disaster for 1960s muscle cars. Paradoxically, it is "green" to bring back higher octane, ethanol free gasoline. Dennis Smith proud owner, 1963 Studebaker Avanti

  41. I dont really think that the true car guys will ever die,I am 46 years old I have a 67 GTO and a72 Corvette .My two sons 13 and 20 love cars as much as I do.There will never be muscle cars like the 60s and 70s again but the new generation seems to keep it alive with tere own ideas of muscle cars.Ihope I made some sence........Jeff Adams

  42. We don’t have to allow the bureaucrats in Washington D.C. or the state of California to decide who can own what type of car and how much we can drive. We should organize and vote out those congressional leaders and the presidents who don’t speak for the people, but only listen to the extreme left-wing environmentalists. Ideas and agendas should be based on research facts and evidence not on ideological demagoguery. Today’s cars are much more environment friendly and frugal in their fuel consumption. Ignorance is the friend of liberalism.

  43. Being an old guy(61),I really dont see to many things that could be called future collectors. Maybe the new Challenger, Camaro, but all in all not much more. The old car, restoration and hot rod industry still seems to be doing ok. At least here in Arizona. We are starting to run low on clean sheet metal.

  44. My biggest fear in this latest round of EPA edicts is that our treasured older cars will be regulated right off the road! Tom Miller

  45. sure, its true that some of todays cars will be collectble in the future. But the cars of the 50s and 60swill be even more valuable, if they are kept true to the times. It doesnt mean that one has to be stock, but a little tinkering will be the exception not the rule, as long as it doesnt change the beauty of the original lines. Nothings more beautiful, than a nice 57 ford, or chevy, or 56 crown victoria, or chevy, the 61 ford starliner is a pure classic, that will never be duplicated, in style or speed, the true begining of the big block FE motors, that would go on into 63galaxy fastback, that had every kid dreaming of owning one, but for some it was to late, the late 60s and early 70s had some special cars, but not like the true guts and gears of those big block power houses. those cars will be on every ones wish list , untile the prices will keep the average joe from owning one. It took me 40 years to finally buy the cars I owned as a teenager, and cost a whopping ten thousand dollars or more, compared to

  46. When times are uncertain, the mfrs can be expected to take fewer risks, and performance cars are riskier for most mfrs. Also as the USA moves to the left politically, I fear the pressures to discourage our auto hobby will increase. Both developements cause me to be a bit pessimistic for the future of this fascinating hobby.

  47. Sometimes I find that my greatest pleasure is driving my 61 T-Bird around the hometown and having a bunch of total strangers smile and give me the thumbs-up. Reading this article reminded me a little of Fred Astaire in "On The Beach". I constantly dread future Draconian measures of the federal EPA, and my own CA EPA which prides itself on leading the way to "saving the planet". Maybe some day in the future cars like ours will be illegal to drive at all. Enjoy it while you may. The loonies are running the asylum.

  48. If the environmentalists have their way, we will all be subjected to electrics or hybrids and the scrapping of older cars. Global warming nuts have been getting their way lately ans all I see is profit for some new enterprizes.

  49. It`s unfortunate, but the current auto industry decline started in 1970, and the lack of imagination produced only a very very few examples of cars that anyone really wanted. the 5.0 mustang is one example that stumbled along for a few years before it "hit" the mark. The auto industry has only itself to blame for the current situation it got itself into. Its kind of like a third generation bussiness inhertited by a nepotistic family member, really not into what is happening. Our government has never embraced the auto industry in the US. As an outsider looking in, it appears that Washington would rather not have a car maker of US origin in the US. Nancy Pelosi and others live in a world where an automobile is something that other people "need" but she is above all that. I firmly believe that the current technology could create and build cars and trucks that I would want to own without all the issues that US auto manufactures seem to accidently build into todays vehicles...

  50. I think your article is correct but there will always be cars for the enthusiast. Most people purchase cars for practicality and this will expand as more government rules and energy concerns will make collectible cars less plentiful. Higher prices for plane jane cars will jump as economy and government requirements will prevail.

  51. If you look around at all of the used cars that are for sale in the US, it is obvius of the glut of vehicles that we have. It is time to do away with the leasing for private individuals. You want to go green? start using what we already have. The middle class does not need to be driving the most expensive cars, in other words, live with in your means. Thank You

  52. There needs to be a Petition on this site, so we can all sign it and send it to Washington. Telling them not to take away our rights to build the older cars we love. They need to allow the old cars to an exception to any new emission standards, and this should be nation wide. I vote for keeping our old cars alive. Shawn

  53. We are into a new age with respect to our governmet and finances that have gone south in a very short time. But as long as there are baby Boomers there will be car builders. Once we are all gone you may see a new generation but I doubt it will be hot rods or collections from the past. If the top people in todays corps and companies get back to service and worry more about people then they do their own bank accounts this country may turn around. We can only hope!

  54. Your article raises some interesting questions. I work for a large American auto manufacturer and see on a daily basis what we are doing to cope with the new and changeing car market. Yes, I do believe that some of the vehicles we are producing currently will be some of the most sought after collectables in the future. We have the best Vette ever made, the Z06, we have a compact "SS" that will do 150+mph, one of the sweetest looking Mustangs since 1969, The "made to race Challenger package", not to mention the hot new Camaro. Some serious changes need to be made in our auto industry, but I think once things get put into shape, buisness wise, we will see some new, high tech, badass rides coming out of Detroit.

  55. No what is "worthy" today will likely not be collectable in the future. The collectable cars were not so because of their utilitarian value but something else, like style, power, speed, handling, etc. When those go so likely will the collector value of the car. Julien Le Bleu

  56. Well, since GM is cancelling the Pontiac brand, and may go bankrupt soon, I will keep my 1969 GTO convertible in restored shape for a far future sale. May just purchase a Mustang, since Ford is stable, and knows some of us prefer muscle cars! Norm C

  57. The high horsepower cars of today will be the peak. Horsepower in internal combustion production cars will start to drop again for the sake of fuel efficiency and cost. The "specialty" production cars such as the Supercharged Corvette and the Roush Mustangs will be the prized auction cars 60 years from now. Buy one and put it into climate controlled storage. When it comes to auction time, you will be happy to see the dollars roll in, but sad that you did not rack up the miles on that beast. The auto industry really needs to move to a made to order, built when sold model. People can wait 3 weeks to get a new car. If they want one from a dealer lot, that pulls from dealer purchased inventory and carries a premium. The days of making 200,000 cars per model before they are even sold is over.

  58. We need to buy American Cars and send the imports packing!!!

  59. the love affair with cars is over .now a car is nothing else a way to go from point a to point b as it was ment to be.yes there is still some affecionado out there,however the majority of motorist look for something reliable,chip and economic on gas,no matter how it looks.stile ,looks, speed are thing of the past.Frank

  60. This too shall pass. Someone will break through with a more effiecient more powerful and better looking auto. It will take the industry by storm. This will happen much sooner if they put a chrome bumper on it! Rory D. Kuhn

  61. It is much more than just the car for those of us who are merely drivers, and are not mechanically inclined. The service departments in multiple Dodge dealerships have treated me with both almost criminal stupidity, and with incredible attempts at financial fleezing. For example, the local Dodge dealer wanted $25 to write up a service ticket to reset the computer after a battery change, and would need the car for 2 to 3 days. The repairs would be additional.A local independent shop fixed the problem, and one other on a mechanics lunch break for $19.75. A dealer in Ohio told me not to worry about a noise in the differential, which turned out to be a worn gear tooth in the differential. The rear end went out 75 miles later, with disastrous results. And several others. One dealer looked at a transmission oil leak when we were 700 miles from home, and told us he could not work on it for 6 days. No suggestion of any transmission shop that might have taken care of it promptly. In my opinion, based upon these and se

  62. I agree that cars are, at least for the short term, going to be considered a utilitarian means of travel and not a source of visceral enjoyment. I do think that in time any car that offers stellar acceleration, great braking and handling will be collectible. There is no way to remove the desire from the human psyche for a thrill. David Berlien

  63. Now that the gummint OWNS the car makers, performance considerations will be kicked down the stairs. Perhaps the your-o-peans can pick up the slack.

  64. No. I thought as hot as my first-year 2001 PT Cruiser was (I waited from April '00 to October '00), it might be. Then I thought my 2005 first-year Chrysler 300 C had some staying power. Not really. That is not to say that there won't be collectible cars from the 00's. In the meantime, I'll stick to re-furbishing my '65 Mustang convertible, a real collectible car. R. Durbin, Paducah, Ky.

  65. Jimbo Heck yeah bay-bee keep them cmonig!

    Heck yeah bay-bee keep them cmonig!

  66. Jacey If time is money you've made me a welaither woman.

    If time is money you've made me a welaither woman.

  67. Marylouise Walking in the presence of giants here. Cool tnhkiing all around!

    Walking in the presence of giants here. Cool tnhkiing all around!

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