Malaise Era Madness: 1981 Dodge Mirada Drag Car vs 1979 Cadillac Seville Opera Coupe

Happy Friday, Motorists! For our weekend special, we’ll look at two collaborations from that decade between the 1970s and mid-1980s. But these aren’t just any old slow Broughamed-out two-doors. Both are something special.

Why more cars of the malaise era? Because yesterday’s Beige Corvette did very well. I get the feeling that many of you voted for it under duress, and that if the RX-8 had one more pedal on the floor, the results might have been different. But a win is a win.

To me, it’s a Corvette anyway, regardless of the transmission. Wankel engines are interesting, but like Communism or a Vince Neil’s solo record, they sound better in theory than they work in practice. Maybe I shouldn’t waste a chance on an early Mazda rotary, under the right circumstances, but I’ll leave the Renesis work to the big rotary fans.

Now then: The so-called “malaise era” was full of absolutely terrible cars. No one will deny that. But one type of car dominated this era, and it’s a type that I know many of us miss – the personal luxury coupe. Sure, they were slow, and clunky, and sometimes a little clunky, but there’s just something about the idea of ​​a big, comfortable car that’s just for you and one very special passenger that’s so appealing.

But we won’t bother with your use of Cutlasses and Cordobas. Today, we’re taking a look at one private luxury group that’s been turned into a superhero, and another that’s taking the whole concept of private luxury to its ridiculous and glorious conclusion. Here they are.

Engine/drive system: 390 cubic inch overhead valve V8, three-speed automatic, RWD

Location: Dinwiddie, VA

Odometer reading: is unknown

Operating mode: It runs 11 second quarter miles, but it’s not on the road

The dawn of the 1980s was a bad time for Chrysler. The old rear-wheel drive platforms were showing their age, the company was reeling financially due to poor sales and the Aspen/Volaré debacle, and the replacement of Lee Iacocca’s new ideas with the government’s cash still in hand. But somehow, out of this era came one of my favorite two-door Mopar models: the Dodge Mirada.

Chrysler had a rich drag racing heritage, of course, with the legendary Hemi engine dominating the scene for decades. Chrysler couldn’t afford to run the lights, let alone factory racing teams at this point, but it supplied cars to other people who could, like drag racing legend. Paul Rossi. The seller claims that this ’81 Mirada was one of the cars given by Chrysler to Rossi for “experimental purposes,” and it has a long history of quarter-mile success to its name. Currently, it is powered by a 390 cubic inch Chrysler LA V8 and an A904 Torqueflite automatic transmission, both new.

Since this car was imported NHRA “Stock” class, has a full stock of Mirada interior, carpet and all. It all seems to have held up to years on the drag strip just fine, and those velor bucket seats still look great. This car has been a race car since day one, and therefore has no title, so it is not registered for the road. There might be some loophole that would allow you to put license plates on it – I think it has a VIN – but from now on, you’ll have to line it up.

Honestly, I like the idea of ​​this car, and if it were me, I think I would would be try to get it registered on the street, so more people can appreciate it. The thought of a beige malaise-era luxobarge that could run 11s makes me smile.

Engine/drive system: 350 cubic inch overhead valve V8, three-speed, RWD

Location: Granada Hills, CA

Odometer reading: 26,000 miles

Operating mode: I think it runs and runs well

“Downsizing” was a new word in the Detroit lexicon in the mid to late ’70s. American cars had grown exponentially, and to meet the new fuel economy standards, some fuel had to be cut. General Motors saw the writing on the wall early, and in 1975 did something that would have been unthinkable for a decade: it introduced the mid-size Cadillac. Traditionalists may have balked at the idea, but the Seville sold well, and became a popular subject for customers and coachbuilders, including Florida’s Grandeur Motor Car Company, which turned a few hundred Sevilles into the car you see here: the Opera Coupe.

Take a stock Seville, remove the rear doors, move the entire cowl and windshield back to where the B-pillar used to be, reuse the front doors, and presto, you’ve got an Opera Coupe. Complement the now ridiculous height of the front fenders with a pair of fake tire carriers to complete that oh-so-trendy “neoclassical” feel. Mechanically, it’s still very much a stock Seville, with a fuel-injected Oldsmobile 350 V8 and Turbo-Hydramatic transmission – now available. Cruella DeVil ratio.

It goes without saying that this new and “improved” Seville now has two people. The entire front half of the Seville’s interior has been moved back, closer to where the back seat used to be. One can only imagine what it’s like trying to park a car from the back seat, with all that extra height in the front. At least it seems like a good place to be.

This car has 26,000 miles on its odometer, and has recently been painted. It looks – well, I won’t say “good” – but it’s nice and shiny. The only other thing the seller says is that it is “in good condition,” which I assume means it works well. It’s a pretty bulletproof train, as late ’70s cars go.

So there they are, two extremes of what can be done with a personal luxury coupe. To go fast, or to get strange; the choice is yours. You have the whole weekend to think about it. See you on Monday!

(Image credit: Craigslist sellers)