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The price of cars: How much did
it cost to drive one off the lot?
By GRACE HOUSHOLDER
The News-Sun
The look, luxuries and prices
of cars over the century make owning a car during the new millennium
a completely different experience than owning a car during the
Roaring Twenties, Great Depression or the first Woodstock.
In 1927 a Chrysler "50" Coupe, famed for the capability
of driving 50-plus miles per hour, cost $750. A Chrysler "50"
Coach cost $780. The Roadster had a rumble seat and cost $795.
A Sedan was $830. The Landau Sedan was $885.
In 1940 the Dodge Luxury Liner was a six-passenger, two-door
Sedan that cost $820 and up. The Coupe cost $760 and up.
In 1960 Oldsmobile manufactured a four-door "88" Sedan
that cost $2,995. The car advertised a radio, heater, hydromatic,
power steering, power brakes, deluxe steering wheel, back-up
lights and foam rubber seats.
In 1980 a Buick LeSabre four-door with a V-8 engine cost $7,088.25.
The LeSabre was an automatic with tinted glass, floor mats, tilt
steering and full wheel covers.
At the beginning of 1999, 1998 Lincoln Continentals with leather
interior, a CD player, aluminum wheels, tilt and cruise cost
as low as $21,988.
Personal transportation comes at a higher price these days, but
the cars also last longer and sometimes are luxurious enough
to live in. Car owners can enter the new millennium with vehicles
equipped with seat warmers, reclining seats, built-in TVs and
the ability to set different temperatures for the driver's and
passenger's seats. Cars have come a long way since the days of
rumble seats.
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