Jumping the shark is an idiom used to describe the moment in the evolution of a television show when it begins a decline in quality. It's usually a particular scene, episode, or aspect of a show where the writers use some type of "gimmick" in an attempt to keep viewers' interest. Its name is taken from a scene from a fifth season episode of Happy Days when Fonzie jumps over a shark while on water-skis.The usage of "jump the shark" has subsequently broadened beyond television, indicating the moment when a brand, design, or creative effort's evolution declines.
During the second energy crisis of the 1970's, the price of gas in the United States passed $1 a gallon. An almost incomprehensible amount of money at the time when you consider that gas was 35 cents a gallon six, seven years prior. To minimize fuel costs, many jumped out of their big gas guzzler for cars that were, if not down right compact, at least reasonably fuel efficient. For 1980, in an attempt to offset fuel cost concerns, part of Cadillac's update of their 1977 "little" Cadillac was another downsizing of their division exclusive V-8 engine. The 425 V-8 engine, which was downsized from 500 cubic inches for 1977, was downsized again this time to 368 cubic inches.
Power dropped significantly and GM didn't reduce gearing to help offset that loss of power either. Reducing gearing would, in theory at least, wipeout any mileage gains from the drop in power. That's why the '80 Cadillac deVille was the first of the "slow poke" Cadillacs that plagued the division in the early to mid '80s. However, back then, less was more. A drop in power meant that the car was "better on gas", so the sales pitch went. Not sure how good a 4200 pound car with a massive, carbureted, 145 horsepower engine would be on gas but at least GM gave their dealerships something to tell customers who were concerned about mileage. Any middling improvement in mileage was considered a marketing coup.
Unbeknownst to everyone at the time, particularly GM, that GM was ramping up to have the entire Cadillac division Jump The Shark for the next decade or so. For 1981and for 1981 only, Cadillac took the defanged but still perfectly fine engine from this car and strapped the legendarily abortive fuel injection system on it that was supposed to, dependent on load, utilize 4, 6 or 8 cylinders at a time. A terrific fuel saving idea that was at least twenty years ahead of its time. Even today, these fuel shut off systems are somewhat fussy, clumsy even. Can you imagine how this performed in 1981? Suffice to say, it didn't.
I've always been a fan of these 1980 - 1984 Cadillacs but have stayed away from them because of their crummy engines. If only I could find a 1980. Well, here one is but I'm in no position to buy it. This low mileage example is on the sales floor for an eye watering, $7995. While she is a low mileage beaut with a scant 38,000 clicks on her, that asking price is all the money in the world. Good luck with that. As we like to say in the business, though, there's an arse for every seat. I have no doubt some lucky devil will get their hands on it. I only hope they love it as much as I would.
Cadillac is in a wonderful position these days and one has to wonder if they'd be in that position today of it wasn't for what became of this car. Cadillac today not unlike a child who has a tough childhood who blooms into a strong, resourceful adult using their childhood experience as an inspirational touchstone. After all, no one deliberately screws up at work or "Jumps The Shark" on purpose. Happy Days eventually got canceled; Cadillac keeps on going.
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