The 1973-1996 era of automotive production that is typically lumped in as the “Malaise Era” is a section of time that, for the most part, the automotive aftermarket has willingly chosen to forget. Sure, there are exceptions: black and gold Trans Ams, post-1986 Mustangs, and the like that have always been favorites have had their fair share of support. That’s fine and good. But as someone who has only owned hot rods and project cars from this era, let me be the first to assure you that trying to get parts and resources for a personal project is difficult at best and full-on impossible at it’s worst. It’s why, outside of standard choices like Corvette, Camaro, Firebird, and Mustang, you don’t see a lot of builds from this time period. And those that do are making do with junkyard hunting or shelling out for the best-kept example there is out there.
I’m not saying that SEMA 2017 showed a full, 180° turnaround from years past, but it was plainly evident that there is some kind of shift finally happening. We found a few good builds from the era (and one shockingly horrible one) and we found restoration parts. We aren’t surprised that the Buick Grand National is getting restoration pieces. We are surprised, however, that full dashes for Chevrolet and Buick G-bodies have made an appearance, and we won’t be shocked if the entire G-body span starts seeing some love. And if that wasn’t surprising, there was the Rally Nova grille, or the Dart/Demon grille, the lenses, the trim, the repop badges. Who would want a brand-new grille for a 1977 Chevy Nova? There’s plenty of people out there who’d jump at the shot, but until now have made do with eBay hunting.
I bet you this will keep increasing as time goes on. Four-eye Foxes, Mustang II, 1970s Mopars and more will start to see representation in the aftermarket. It’s about time.
Someone please crush that black Camaro and put it out of my misery. That thing is hideous.
That black “Camaro” is the turd in the punchbowl.
I dig that black el camino that’s in the parking lot.
Im just happy that us with the forgotten models are getting a chance to keep our cars on the Road. Most cars from the 70s or 80s can be made into Nice hotrods with some effort. All it takes are some fantasy and luck finding the right parts and you have a cool car. However if your fantasy takes you as far out as that Black camaro, maybe you need to collect stamps instead.
Seems everyone here is in agreement – the black 2nd-gen horror-flick on wheels shouldn’t exist. Looks like something the Roadster Shop used to turn out or something the current Ring Bros would do…. Too much.
Malaise my ass . Any G body is better than the “average” junk today. I can’t understand why this stupid attitude still exists.
Good gawd… that Camaro needs to die a fiery death.
“We found a few good builds from the era (and one shockingly horrible one)”
Was it the black Camaro that everybody seems to hate? Can’t really tell from the pics. Looks radical so that means its really good or very bad…
I’m still here waiting for repop AMC Matador sheet metal… maybe in 20 years or so.