Excitement in the showroom.

I remember those days well! Now, we call it "The Malaise Era" and have a tendency to minimize the importance of those years.  But, back then those cars had all the excitement of any other new car. Yes, we lamented the 5 MPH bumpers and all the smog equipment. Still, the showroom was a magical place, rife with possibilities and promise. As a market, we moved from a strong emphasis on performance and quickness to a new focus on luxury and neo-classic design. Those Monte Carlos became a darling of the industry. It was a fascinating time to be a car enthusiast. 

Ah those days.  I remember them well.  Dealers around here, Northern Virginia, pulled out all the stops with hot dogs and tons of literature for the taking.