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JAMCAR223

Royal Smart Person
Jun 6, 2014
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Houston, TX.
Here's a newspaper ad from my hometown of Houston, Tx featuring (1) of my G Bodys. This was a premier Oldsmobile dealer in Houston, back in my day. This dealership was leveled long ago, but it had a very cool sign out front of the dealership. It was known as "Rocket City Olds", due to our city's association with the space program (NASA). I thought it was cool.

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Gonzo1970

G-Body Guru
Sep 30, 2018
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Pretty cool!

$19,800 in today's money, if anyone was wondering the same thing I was..

-Gonz
 
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TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
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20k would still be reasonable for a new car.
 
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69hurstolds

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Jan 2, 2006
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20k would still be reasonable for a new car.
Yeah, but look what you can get NEW for around 20K today...10X the car for just as much. Not much for a new car today, but the price tag is similar. Cars that would run circles around that Salon. Obviously times have changed, and it's not exactly apples and apples comparisons. But still. You have to wonder.



 
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69hurstolds

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Jan 2, 2006
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Now try that math on a pickup truck and tell me where you land.
It depended on how you bought your truck. Way back when, when trucks were trucks, they were generally a bit less than the price of cars on base price. No amenities needed. Trucks were for working. EVERYTHING just about was an option. If you put a package on and got some pretty nice options, you could bust out $2500 in options (about 1/2 the MSRP) in a heartbeat. Now, trucks are used like station wagons used to be, except you can haul heavier and bigger junk. In air conditioned and safety nanny comfort. Cars on the lot usually cost more than the trucks back then because dealerships didn't load out the trucks like they did their cars. Because people bought sedans and stuff back then way more than the trucks. Different market share 40 years ago.

But you're not going to find a new, full-sized regular cab truck for $20K today. Best price I've found on a new 2019 was around $22K with the discounted prices. Even with the "big" Silverado sale right now. A comparable truck today in this "nobody wants a regular cab anymore" era would be a Chevrolet work truck. Although the cheapest MSRP's on them are like $29.7K delivered. Outrageous.

For reference, a 1978 Chevy C10 long bed would start you at $4,493 base price. Just adding A/C and you're right there with that Salon ad price. BTW, the 2-door Salon was only $100 more on base price than a truck in 1978. But if you find a super-nice 78 C10 today, you'll pay 25-30K for a pristine example today. Nobody bought trucks back then not to use them as trucks. There may be a few, but hardly any. Nice ones appreciated more than the cars of that era, that's for sure.

This is still taking into account the "sales" prices in order to get these pieces of plastic and metal sold. In reality, though. You're looking at 40+ years of technological and safety advancements. Today, cars and trucks are safer in comparison to their elder counterparts. It seems the "value" of that has risen, and even more so in the truck world. About 9K worth. Although, I can tell you this, for my needs, I'd rather have a 2020 new truck than a 1978 new truck. Hands down. But if you keep it long enough, you may end up getting most of that back in fuel savings. Electronic-age engines are way more fuel efficient and powerful. inch per inch, than their dinosaur counterparts. Although there's nothing like a old-school 454 regular cab pickup.

My opinion has no bearing on build or material quality used in any of the model years.
 
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Gonzo1970

G-Body Guru
Sep 30, 2018
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You also have to remember, cars back then lasted 60-80-100k and they were done.

Now, you'd expect 200k out of a car, and be pretty disappointed if you didn't get it.

-Gonz
 
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JAMCAR223

Royal Smart Person
Jun 6, 2014
1,853
5,507
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Houston, TX.
I bought my first new truck in 1990 to haul my motorcross bikes. It was a full size Chevy Cheyenne regular cab S/B. It did have A/C, 350 TBI, and a 5 speed manual ( yes, I hot rodded it, but that is a different story ), it had roll up windows and steel wheels ( I converted both, later ). $11,100. I loved that truck, and had many more C/K trucks after that. My daily driver right now is a 2013 Ram. It's also a regular cab S/B Express with a 400 hp Hemi, 6 speed automatic, power everything, 20" wheels, dual exhaust. I bought it new, and negotiated the price to $23,000 even. It has also been a very good truck, but lately I have wanted to sell it. 6.5 years later, that same dealer wants to give me $11,000 for it. I may take them up on it, but I really don't want any payments, as I am almost completely debt free. Bottom line... as stated above... these new trucks are OUTRAGEOUSLY priced, and I don't want to pay for one.
 
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TURNA

Rocket Powered Basset Hound
Jul 24, 2009
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Socialist NY
Still rather have a brand new Cutlass Salon
 
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69hurstolds

Geezer
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Jan 2, 2006
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Yeah, it would be nice to be able to choose a new Cutlass Salon. :cry:
 
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