* Make and Model: A basic economy car was significantly cheaper than a luxury car or a muscle car.
* Options: Air conditioning, power steering, automatic transmission, and other features all added to the cost.
* Dealer Markup: Dealerships could (and did) add their own markups to the manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP).
To give you some idea, though, here are some examples of MSRP for popular cars in 1974 (adjusted for inflation to 2023 dollars using a CPI inflation calculator):
* Economy cars: Might have ranged from $3,000-$6,000 (in 1974 dollars), or roughly $20,000-$40,000 in 2023 dollars.
* Mid-sized cars: Likely in the $4,000-$8,000 (1974 dollars) range, or roughly $27,000-$54,000 in 2023 dollars.
* Luxury cars: Could easily exceed $8,000 (1974 dollars), translating to well over $54,000 in 2023 dollars.
Keep in mind that these are estimates, and the actual price paid would depend on the factors listed above. To get a more precise price for a specific make and model, you'd need to consult resources like old car brochures or price guides from 1974.
