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Malaise Era Muscle Cars (1975–2004)

From 1972 power was quoted in SAE net, and emission rules, unleaded fuel, insurance surcharges and the 1973 oil crisis cut it further. The comeback began in the 1980s with the 5.0 Mustang GT, the IROC-Z Camaro and the turbocharged Buick Grand National and GNX.

Compression ratios dropped for unleaded fuel, catalytic converters arrived for the 1975 model year, and several famous names became stripes-and-spoiler packages. A few cars kept big engines longest, such as the Pontiac Trans Am with the 455. Performance came back in the 1980s with fuel injection and turbocharging: the 5.0 Mustang GT, the IROC-Z Camaro and the Buick Grand National and GNX.

All 15 malaise-era muscle cars

Muscle car rankings

Most powerful: Malaise era and comeback (SAE net)

14 models
  1. Ford Mustang 1979–2004 291 kW (396 PS · 390 hp)
  2. Ford SVT Cobra 1993–2004 291 kW (396 PS · 390 hp)
  3. Chevrolet Camaro 1970–2002 246 kW (334 PS · 330 hp)
  4. Pontiac Firebird Trans Am 1970–2002 231 kW (314 PS · 310 hp)
  5. Ford Mustang Mach 1 2003–2004 227 kW (309 PS · 304 hp)
  6. Buick Grand National 1982–1987 206 kW (280 PS · 276 hp)
  7. Ford Mustang Bullitt 2001 198 kW (269 PS · 266 hp)
  8. Chevrolet Impala SS 1994–1996 194 kW (264 PS · 260 hp)
  9. Plymouth Road Runner 1975–1980 190 kW (258 PS · 255 hp)
  10. Pontiac Firebird 1970–2002 186 kW (253 PS · 249 hp)

Figures: catalog data of each model's best version (or generation). Power in kW, then PS and hp; gross or net as advertised for that model year.

Muscle car brands

Malaise Era Muscle Cars (1975–2004): questions and answers

What was the malaise era?

The name refers to American cars from the mid-1970s to the early 1980s, when emission controls, fuel-economy rules and the oil crises cut power sharply. Power was now quoted in SAE net, and several muscle models became appearance packages. The 5.0 Mustang GT, the IROC-Z Camaro and the Buick Grand National brought performance back in the 1980s.

Which malaise era and comeback muscle car is the most powerful in the catalog?

The Ford Mustang (1979–2004), with 291 kW (396 PS · 390 hp) (SAE net).

What is the difference between gross and net horsepower?

Until the 1971 model year American makers advertised SAE gross power, measured on an engine without accessories, air cleaner or full exhaust. From 1972 they switched to SAE net, measured as installed in the car. The same engine reads clearly lower in net, so 1960s and modern figures are not directly comparable — 1CARS ranks them separately.