I can't find the exact figures at the moment but some years back I wrote an
article about 'relative' prices. (here in the UK of course)
On cars it was something like in the 1930s a typical family car cost three
years average wage.
forget the forties, things got screwed up...
In the 50s a family car cost twice the average annual wage
60's car cost about the same as an average yearly wage
in the 70's a car cost about 2/3 the average annual wage
in the 80's about half...
I wrote the article in the 90s when a car cost about 1/3 the average annual
wage.
Today I could go out and buy a four door family saloon (sedan) for a couple
of month's earnings - that's if the damn' gov didn't take so much in tax and
I hadn't to pay a mortgage and buy food etc...mind you, I suspect I earn a
little more than the average...
and, btw, when the postage stamp was first introduced (penny Black) it cost
about half a blue-collar man's weekly wage!
I also did some fascinating research on things like Mars Bars... must find
it and bring it up to date...
Best Cheers
Frank
+--+--+--+
I !__| [_]|_\___
I ____|"_|"__|_ | / B791 PKV
"(o)======(o)" Bronze Green 110 CSW
----- Original Message -----
From: Peter Ogilvie <konacoffee2@hotmail.com>
To: <lro@Works.Team.Net>
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2001 9:47 PM
Subject: Re: LRO: Land Rover Price in 1959?
> Auto pricing has managed to outpace the rate of inflation. The dollar is
> worth approximately 1/4th the value it had in the early '60s. If we take
a
> VW Bug as an example, the MSRP AND selling price was approximately $1,800.
> That would translate into a today's price of $7,200. Less than half what
a
> new Beatle costs.
>
> Of course you get a bit more in performance, handling, fuel economy,
> comfort, standard features, and safety in todays auto. Its hard to
compare
> '60s era auto's with today's as the old ones were so basic and primitive.
> The Series Rover is a prime example. In the old days, most cars came with
> no electronics. Electrics were limited and not installed on most cars,
> other than an AM radio. Air conditioning was available but most cars
> weren't equipped. Most American cars were automatics but not in pickups
> and, if available, were jerkomatic performance cancelors in foreign cars.
> Lap seat belts were options, if available at all, and were just about the
> only safety feature. It wasn't until the '60s that cars were designed so
as
> not to injure the occupants in a crash. Before that, it seemed like the
> stylists purpose was to injure, not to protect, the occupants. Tires were
> bias ply with a life expectancy of around 20,000 miles. You could get
fancy
> hubcaps but no alloy wheels. Brakes were universally drum type, even on a
> 'Vette for American Cars. Handling was a euphemism for wallowing, foam
> rubber like, over undualtions in the road. Forget trying to create high g
> turns as body roll, frame twist and lack of suspension control made,
> anything but straight line, driving a frustrating experience. Foreign
cars
> did handle better but suspensions were typically so stiff that a minor
bump
> could throw the car out of control. The 356 Porsche was about the only
car
> that would handle well on rough roads and it had it's own uniquley
> interesting handling quirks. Service intervals were 1500 miles and major
> services at 6,000 miles. Suffice it to say, comparing '60s autos to
current
> is comparing apples to oranges.
>
> Having said all the above, I lament the passing of truly utilitarian
> functional vehicles. Love the metal dash on an old Bug. What a joy it
used
> to be to lift the hood and actually see an engine. Even better to work
on,
> which was good, since you'd have to. Miss having to plan an exit
strategy,
> in my MGA, before entering a high speed turn just in case the rear axle
lost
> contact with the ground because of a lump in the road. Roll up windows
> marked the demise of truly interesting auto's. Cars have truly become
> appliances and most with the soul of a toaster.
>
> Oh yes, what were we talking about?? No definitive answer, though think
it
> was right around $3,000 for a brand new 88. You could also buy a tricked
> out chevy Impala coupe for that price.
>
>
>
>
>
> >From: Rick Grant <rgrant@cadvision.com>
> >Would anyone happen to know the approximate price in North America of a
> >Series II in 1959 or thereabouts?
> >
> >The reason I ask is that I got chatting with a Disco driver today who
> >remarked that my rather time worn but reeking of character Series II
> >probably cost the equivalent in 1959 of a Discovery today. I'd like to
> >check that.
> Rick Grant
> 1959 Series II "88"
> VORIZO
>
>
>
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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>
>
This archive was generated by hypermail 2b30 : Thu Jun 14 2001 - 15:31:36 EDT