Why The Malaise Era Was Actually Good — Carmudgeon w/ Jason Cammisa & Derek Tam-Scott — Ep. 207
The Carmudgeon ShowShow Notes
The Malaise Era, a period of the US auto industry from the early 1970s to the mid 1980s, was certainly not one that garners much enthusiasm or celebration from your typical modern day car enthusiast. The rather abrupt introduction of stricter emissions and safety standards, plus the demand for better fuel economy, gave US automakers quite the fight to stay relevant and afloat while Japanese manufactures infiltrated US market share.
Despite the struggle though, the Malaise Era was actually an important period of innovation that indirectly created a lot of important engineering and incredible cars. But why?
=== This episode is sponsored by Battery Tender. Visit https://www.batterytender.com/ and use code HAGERTY20 for 20% off.
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This week's episode follows Hagerty's latest Revelations video highlighting the Mercedes-Benz R129 SL - and how despite being at the end of a generation of Bruno Sacco cars, its original design was conceived all the way towards the beginning of the Malaise Era. Much of why the R129 took so long to develop was because Mercedes diverted engineering resources to the W201 "Baby Benz," the W124 "E-Class" and the M102 new family of downsized, fuel-efficient engines to hit American CAFE fuel-economy and emissions requirements. But much of why the R129 took so long to develop, partly due to the Malaise Era, is what made it so great throughout the 1980s and early 1990s.
Other cars, however - like the Ford Mustang II, Cadillac Cimarron, and Isuzu Pup - may not have enjoyed the same celebration (and likely never will...)
Jason and Derek also discuss the struggles of the US auto industry during this time - and how they're eerily related to the current US administration's removal of penalties for CAFE standards. Could we be entering an era where we erase all the progress we gained after the Malaise Era? Or will the free market allow for innovation in ways we may not expect?
All this and more, on this week's episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from The Carmudgeon Show
Monterey Car Week 2026 - another wild ride. This week, we come live from Pebble Beach at the Hagerty House with a live studio audience!Jason and Derek dive into all the different happenings this year - and determine whether or not this year was better or worse than others previously.Jason brought his Rover SD1 to show, and his Volkswagen Cabrio VR6 swap to go - with appearances including but not limited to: Monterey British, Concours For A Cure, Little Car Show, Concours D’Lemons, Motorlux, Quail Motorsports Gathering, and Pebble Beach Concours. Jason and Derek discuss the good, bad, and the (beautifully) ugly - what’s improved, worsened, and stayed the same.One thing is for sure - the broccoli heads in the G80 M3s are here to stay. But have THEY ruined everything for other attendees? Maybe not…Derek revisits various auction results from Broad Arrow, as well as Gooding and RM Sothebys. This episode was recorded before the $40M Ferrari Luce sale - however some other notable discussed results include the S123 Mercedes-Benz 280TE with a $252K sale, the $17M Ferrari SP3, and several others.Jason and Derek’s favorite new unveiling was of course the Gordon Murray Special Vehicles (GMSV) S1 - which in many ways, is the rebirth of the road-going McLaren F1. The interest in the S1, the GMA T.33 and T.50, and manual Porsche GT cars has led to a trend of manufactures releasing new manual offerings - including the McLaren McL 6GT and Ferrari 12Cilindri Manuale. Could this trend continue to repeat? Only time (and money) will tell…All this and more, on this week’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
This week: Jason recaps the latest Hagerty ICONS video - discussing Temerario, the new baby Lamborghini, and its siblings from different eras of baby Lambo family tree. Needless to say, it’s quite a performer - the likes of which have never been approached by any other non-speciality Lamborghini ever. But is that alone enough to make it an icon?
The Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, Toyota Land Cruiser + 4Runner, Porsche 911, Ford F-150, and Range Rover, all have several things in common. Slow depreciation compared to other vehicles in their class, nameplates that have lasted for decades, loyal owners that keep coming back for more and bucket listed for others.
On today's episode, Jason and Derek settle a common debate - as a lifelong car enthusiast, is working in the automotive industry a dream job?
Today’s episode of The Carmudgeon Show is a bumper episode. It’s also a headlight, taillight, and side market episode - all of the above which were effected greatly in the mid-1970s to 1980s by updated US Department of Transportation regulations in 1974.===Visit http://JasonSentMe.com to get a Hagerty Guaranteed Value (TM) collector-car insurance quote! ===