by Steven Perez
posted on October 14, 2022
Take a break with these pretty pictures
Every few Fridays we like to bring you moments of zen in the form of some of our favorite motorcars from around the Turo marketplace. Let’s keep the fun going. We like cars, you like cars, so let’s look at some cars.
From 1973 to roughly 1983, a series of oil crises and a recession after the Vietnam War combined to form a strange period in American automotive history some refer to as the “Malaise Era.” Smog restrictions and rising costs put a quick stopper on the golden heyday of the muscle car, as American automakers began producing cars that were larger, underpowered, and generally viewed as uninspiring. Though many models certainly had charm — Yevgen’s 1978 Dodge Magnum here is a fine Malaise Era survivor and emblematic of that period in American motoring.
This first-generation Dodge Magnum replaced the Charger Daytona in 1978, and was positioned as a luxury coupe rather than a muscle car. Cushy leather-wrapped seats, wood grain paneling, and solid interior features added class and a lot of weight to the Magnum. This one has a giant 360 ci V8, which put out a lackluster-but-sufficient 155 horsepower from the factory in ‘78.
But to many, the unusual but fairly handsome styling is plenty to redeem this car. And Yevgen’s Magnum is entirely original and in remarkably good condition for its age. It boasts options like power steering, front disc brakes, air conditioning, and electric windows — all the makings of an unconventional, comfortable, V8-powered cruiser.
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Steven Perez
Steven is an avid car guy and content maker at Turo. Between Golden State Warriors games he can be found getting lost somewhere in California.
