Cheapism is editorially independent. We may earn a commission if you buy through links on our site.

Cars & RVs

The Average Car Price the Year You Were Born

Published

•

By  

A bright red classic 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air coupe with chrome trim and whitewall tires is parked on a sunny day in front of a brick building—an iconic contrast to the average car price by year seen in today’s market.
trait2lumiere/istockphoto

There are plenty of things that change year by year —from body styles and paint options to the cost of gas and vehicle maintenance —but one thing that has changed the most over the decades is the average car price. Cheapism pulled together a list of top-selling cars every year from 1940 through today, using data from J.D. Power’s NADA Guides to record the price they were sold at the year they made their debut, also showing the price in 2025 dollars.

1940

1940 cadillac series 62 coupe at car show
1940 Series 62 by Sicnag ((CC BY))

Average price: $725

Adjusted for inflation: $16,941

Chevrolet makes more than 1 million cars, leading the industry for the year and becoming the first automaker to surpass the 1 million mark since 1930. This year also sees the emergence of three substantial industry trends, including sealed-beam headlamps, which make driving at night easier; fully automatic transmission, led by Oldsmobile launching the Hydra-matic; and the first factory air conditioning system, which Packard debuted on its 180 Series.

1941

Willys Americar Pickup
Willys Americar Pickup 1941 by JOHN LLOYD ((CC BY))

Average price: $1,288

Adjusted for inflation: $29,670

1942

1942 gas station
eBay

Average price: $3,174

Adjusted for inflation: $65,663

One of the shortest production years in the history of the auto industry, with barely 1 million units made before civilian manufacturing halted in February and, following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the focus turning to military production. Of the small number of passenger cars for the year, many showcase painted exterior trims rather than plated, since chromium is considered a strategic material.

1943-1945

Generals Dwight D. Eisenhower in his jeep in the American sector during the liberation of Lower Normandy in the summer of 1944.
US Army Signal Corps/National Archives USA

The auto industry’s switching of gears to make solely military vehicles continued between 1943 and 1945. The leftover stock from 1941 and 1942 is distributed based on need to civilians and military.

1946

1946 Stylemaster
1946 Stylemaster by Greg Gjerdingen ((CC BY))

Average price: $1,825

Adjusted for inflation: $32,569

Trending on Cheapism

1947

1947 cadillac series 75 fleetwood sedan
1947 Cadillac Series 75 Fleetwood Sedan by Sicnag ((CC BY))

Average price: $1,313

Adjusted for inflation: $23,432

1948

Red Byron Car
Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $1,434

Adjusted for inflation: $19,652

1949

Packard Station Sedan. Picture taken at the 52nd Annual
1949 Packard Station Sedan by CZmarlin ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $1,425

Adjusted for inflation: $19,285

After World War II, the auto industry enters into its biggest boom since the 1920s. Consumers are ready for something new and innovative, and Ford answers by introducing a model with an entirely fresh design. Mercury, Lincoln, Chevrolet, Pontiac, and Oldsmobile also modernize their models. GM introduces the Oldsmobile and Cadillac V8s in 1949, becoming the first manufacturer to produce that type of engine. 

1950

A shiny red vintage Ford pickup truck is parked on a driveway, with green trees and a house in the background. Unlike the average car price by year, this well-maintained classic features rounded fenders and a split windshield.
1950 Ford F-3 by Gordonrox24

Average price: $984

Adjusted for inflation: $13,600

1951

A vintage green and white camper van, a classic far from today's average car price by year, is parked on grass with its side door open to reveal a compact kitchen. Camping chairs and a table are set up outside near trees.
1951 Westfalia Camping Box by Norbert Schnitzler ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $2,026

Adjusted for inflation: $25,907

1952

1952 Chevrolet Suburban
1952 Chevrolet COE Suburban by Greg Gjerdingen ((CC BY))

Average price: $3,977

Adjusted for inflation: $48,745

1953

1953 cadillac eldorado
1953 Cadillac Eldorado by Alden Jewell ((CC BY))

Average price: $3,490

Adjusted for inflation: $42,615

1954

1954 gas station
eBay

Average price: $2,260

Adjusted for inflation: $27,288

1955

1955 Ford Thunderbird
1955 Ford Thunderbird Convertible ((6 of 10)) by Randy von Liski ((CC BY-NC-ND))

Average price: $2,166

Adjusted for inflation: $26,349

An innovative year across the automotive industry. Manufacturers leave behind the postwar designs and embrace modern styles entirely. Chevrolet and Ford adopt wraparound windshields, and Chevrolet’s model for the year has a small-block V8 engine that is groundbreaking and even race-winning.

1956

1956 Cadillac Series 62 2 door Hardtop
1956 Cadillac Series 62 2 door Hardtop by Sicnag ((CC BY))

Average price: $3,120

Adjusted for inflation: $37,813

1957

A vintage pink and white two-door station wagon, a striking contrast to today's average car price by year, is parked on a brick surface in front of a modern building with glass and metal features.
1957 Mercury Commuter 2-door by Josephew ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $3,600

Adjusted for inflation: $42,365

1958

Chevy Napco
A 1958 Chevrolet Apache pickup truck with the NAPCO Power-Pak conversion by Mr.choppers ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $3,631

Adjusted for inflation: $41,236

1959

1959 cadillac sedan deville parked outside on street
1959 Cadillac Sedan DeVille ((02)) by Georg Sander ((CC BY-NC))

Average price: $5,000

Adjusted for inflation: $56,000

1960

1960 Edsel Ranger Sedan
Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $2,238

Adjusted for inflation: $24,809

Flashy designs with tall fins and an abundance of chrome started to dissipate by this year, with manufacturers focusing on simpler, less extravagant designs. Ford introduces its first three compact cars.

1961

1961 Impala SS 409
1961 Impala SS 409 by Lars-Göran Lindgren ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $4,750

Adjusted for inflation: $51,772

1962

1962 Corvette
1962 Chevy Corvette by Chad Horwedel ((CC BY))

Average price: $6,074

Adjusted for inflation: $65,761

1963

A vintage dark green station wagon with chrome accents is parked on grass at a classic car show, surrounded by other classic vehicles and trees under a sunny sky—a reminder of how the average car price by year has changed over time.
1963 Dodge 880 station wagon at 2015 Macungie show by Christopher Ziemnowicz ((CC BY))

Average price: $4,333

Adjusted for inflation: $46,295

1964

1964 Ford Mustang Convertible
FPG/Getty Images

Average price: $2,780

Adjusted for inflation: $29,221

1965

1965 Oldsmobile Cutlass
1965 Oldsmobile Cutlass by Greg Gjerdingen ((CC BY))

Average price: $2,398

Adjusted for inflation: $24,964

Following the debut of the Mustang in 1964, Ford sells a record-breaking 1 million units within the first 18 months of production. This surge compels other manufacturers to introduce their own versions of 2+2 sporty compacts — with full-sized front seats and back seats with less legroom — creating the pony car category.

1966

1966 Fairlane 500 wagon
1966 Fairlane 500 wagon by Davelimmer ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $3,041

Adjusted for inflation: $31,060

1967

1967 Camaro
1967 Camaro by François Martinez ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $2,809

Adjusted for inflation: $27,731

1968

A shiny red vintage Volkswagen Beetle drives past a crowd of people gathered on a sunny day, as spectators—curious about its charm and how the average car price by year has changed—watch and take photos from the sidewalk.
Rolf_52/istockphoto

Average price: $3,506

Adjusted for inflation: $33,394

1969

fiat dino coupe
Fiat Dino Coupe, 1969 – SE-FD 72H – DSC_0924_Balancer by Lav Ulv ((CC BY))

Average price: $2,945

Adjusted for inflation: $26,869

1970

1970 GMC Pickup
1970 GMC Pickup by Bull-Doser ((CC BY))

Average price: $3,914

Adjusted for inflation: $33,631

Muscle cars peak in popularity, although the era drives on. The United Auto Workers participate in a 67-day strike at General Motors, causing the Ford Galaxie to snatch the No. 1 spot for sales that year.

1971

Blue 1971 Range Rover parked in a desert with mountains in background
1971 Range Rover by Paul Townsend ((CC BY))

Average price: $5,041

Adjusted for inflation: $41,139

1972

VW Beetle
VW 1302, Bauzeit: Sommer 1970 bis Sommer 1972 by Lothar Spurzem ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $3,201

Adjusted for inflation: $25,296

1973

A vintage yellow four-door car with a white top and chrome details is parked on a driveway in a suburban neighborhood, offering nostalgic charm amid trees and houses—the kind of classic you rarely see when checking the average car price by year.
1973 Chrysler Imperial Le Baron 04 by Nickmix01 ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $3,415

Adjusted for inflation: $26,037

1974

Chevrolet Corvette 1974
Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $4,135

Adjusted for inflation: $28,821

1975

1975 AMC Pacer
Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $4,950

Adjusted for inflation: $30,859

Small cars arrive: American Motors introduces the Pacer, dubbing it America’s “first wide small car.” Chrysler debuts its own small car with the Cordoba. Originally designed as a Plymouth, the Cordoba unexpectedly becomes one of Chrysler’s most memorable cars.

1976

1976 eldorado fleetwood convertible
1976 Eldorado Fleetwood Convertible by Sicnag ((CC BY))

Average price: $4,775

Adjusted for inflation: $27,894

1977

1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am
1977 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am by Sicnag ((CC BY))

Average price: $5,456

Adjusted for inflation: $30,292

1978

Ford Bronco 2nd Generation
Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $5,468

Adjusted for inflation: $28,416

1979

Beige and gray 1979 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Cheyenne parked next to green lawn.
1979 Chevrolet K5 Blazer Cheyenne by 79k5driver ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $5,605

Adjusted for inflation: $26,655

1980

Cadillac Seville
Bustle-back Cadillac Seville produced from 1980–1985. by dave_7 ((CC BY))

Average price: $6,735

Adjusted for inflation: $28,117

Compact sedans grow in popularity. The General Motors X-body platform spent five years in development before the 1980 Chevy Citation is unveiled, making it the first passenger vehicle to display the body style. Other manufacturers follow the trend, introducing the Buick Skylark, Pontiac Phoenix, and Oldsmobile Omega.

1981

1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
1981 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme by Greg Gjerdingen ((CC BY))

Average price: $8,025

Adjusted for inflation: $29,960

1982

Black 1982 AMC Eagle parked indoor
1982 AMC Eagle by Greg Gjerdingen ((CC BY))

Average price: $6,406

Adjusted for inflation: $22,064

1983

1983 GMC Vandura
Custom 1983 A-Team van by The Conmunity – Pop Culture Geek ((CC BY))

Average price: $9,175

Adjusted for inflation: $30,471

1984

1984 Chevrolet Camaro
1984 Chevrolet Camaro by GPS 56 ((CC BY))

Average price: $11,299

Adjusted for inflation: $36,015

The best sales year for the auto industry since 1979, with 14.1 million cars and light trucks selling. The interest in larger, more luxurious (and expensive) vehicles increases, generating even more revenue for the industry.

1985

1985: CHEVROLET CAVALIER
Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $7,799

Adjusted for inflation: $24,011

1986

Jeep Wagoneer
1986 Jeep Grand Wagoneer by CZmarlin ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $9,366

Adjusted for inflation: $27,756

1987

Chrysler Lebaron 1987
1987-1992 Chrysler LeBaron by chrisjcieslak ((CC BY))

Average price: $6,801

Adjusted for inflation: $19,865

1988

VW Vanagon
1988 California-spec VW Vanagon Wolfsburg Edition by I, Alison ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $11,999

Adjusted for inflation: $33,684

1989

1989 Dodge Ram
1989 Dodge Ram by Scheinwerfermann ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $14,180

Adjusted for inflation: $38,032

1990

1990 Dodge Ramcharger parked on grass field among other cars.
1990 Dodge Ramcharger by Greg Gjerdingen ((CC BY))

Average price: $13,800

Adjusted for inflation: $35,182

Auto sales begin to weaken from the recession. Automakers focus more on buying or investing in foreign manufacturers, but consumers lean further toward foreign vehicles as well. 

1991

1991: HONDA ACCORD
Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $14,103

Adjusted for inflation: $34,032

1992

Red 1992 Jeep YJ parked in a driveway on sunny summer day
1992 Jeep YJ by Sfoskett~commonswiki ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $12,807

Adjusted for inflation: $30,121

1993

Ford F-Series
1993 Ford F-150, with dual fuel tanks by Henry.hilliard ((CC BY-SA))

Average price: $24,829

Adjusted for inflation: $56,553

1994

1994: FORD TAURUS
Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $17,450

Adjusted for inflation: $38,767

1995

1995: FORD TAURUS
Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $20,095

Adjusted for inflation: $43,426

Automakers continue to push back against electric vehicles. While politicians argue EVs would help the environment, manufacturers argue that they would cost more to make and have little environmental impact. 

1996

1999 Ford Taurus
Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $18,600

Adjusted for inflation: $39,127

1997

1997: TOYOTA CAMRY
Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $19,868

Adjusted for inflation: $40,560

1998

Dodge Intrepid
1998 Dodge Intrepid 3.2 V6 by Kieran White ((CC BY))

Average price: $20,218

Adjusted for inflation: $40,636

1999

Isuzu Vehicross
Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $22,308

Adjusted for inflation: $44,100

2000

2001 Hyundai Tiburon
Wikimedia Commons

Average price: $18,745

Adjusted for inflation: $36,069

2001

Chrysler PT Cruiser
Chrysler PT Cruiser ((2001-2010)) by Greg Gjerdingen ((CC BY))

Average price: $21,635

Adjusted for inflation: $40,132

After the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, another recession begins, heavily affecting the auto industry in terms of sales and profitability. Chrysler discontinues its Plymouth brand.

2002

Ford Thunderbird 2002
2002 Ford Thunderbird by Chad Horwedel ((CC BY-NC-ND))

Average price: $18,970

Adjusted for inflation: $34,791

2003

Honda S2000 2003
2003 Honda S2000 Convertible by Greg Gjerdingen ((CC BY))

Average price: $22,260

Adjusted for inflation: $39,791

More From Cheapism

Golden metallic Mercedes Benz Oldtimer convertible 190 SL
clu/istockphoto

Meet the Writer


Rachel Schneider

Rachel is a Michigan-based writer who has dabbled in a variety of subject matter throughout her career. As a mom of multiple young children, she tries to maintain a sustainable lifestyle for her family. She grows vegetables in her garden, gets her meat in bulk from local farmers, and cans fruits and vegetables with friends. Her kids have plenty of hand-me-downs in their closets, but her husband jokes that before long, they might need to invest in a new driveway thanks to the frequent visits from delivery trucks dropping off online purchases (she can’t pass up a good deal, after all). You can reach her at [email protected].

“