More than just 8 years :/ I’d point to the 1983 Thunderbird as when we first started climbing our way out, and engine technology didn’t really improve until 1986 and SEFI with EEC-IV.
The 1985/86 Ford Taurus is viewed as the model that ended the malaise. It utilized the quality controls processes from Edwards Deming, and offered outstanding ergonomics, viable front wheel drive, fuel injection, and composite headlights (composite headlights were already approved overseas but not in the U.S.). The SHO engine offered double overhead cams and four valves per cylinder among other things.