The Average Car Price the Year You Were Born

Theres’s plenty having to do with cars that changes 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 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 2022 dollars.

Related: The Bestselling Cars From the Past 42 Years

Average price: $725

Adjusted for inflation: $15,155

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.

Related: Classic Cars That Have Inspired Memorable Songs

Average price: $1,288

Adjusted for inflation: $24,447

Average price: $3,174

Adjusted for inflation: $56,987

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.

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

Related: Useful but Little-known Car Features You Should Know About

Average price: $1,825

Adjusted for inflation: $27,390

Average price: $1,313

Adjusted for inflation: $17,231

Average price: $1,434

Adjusted for inflation: $17,414

Related: Tail Fins, Hood Ornaments, and Other Classic Car Features You Don't See Anymore

Average price: $1,425

Adjusted for inflation: $17,522

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. 

Average price: $984

Adjusted for inflation: $11,949

Average price: $2,026

Adjusted for inflation: $22,805

Related: Classic Cars That Made a Comeback

Average price: $3,977

Adjusted for inflation: $43,920

Average price: $3,490

Adjusted for inflation: $38,253

Average price: $2,260

Adjusted for inflation: $24,587

Related: Classic Family Cars of the Past 50 Years

Average price: $2,166

Adjusted for inflation: $23,653

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.

Related: Legendary and Iconic Chevys Through the Decades

Average price: $3,120

Adjusted for inflation: $33,569

Average price: $3,600

Adjusted for inflation: $37,493

Average price: $3,631

Adjusted for inflation: $36,769

Average price: $5,000

Adjusted for inflation: $50,284

Average price: $2,238

Adjusted for inflation: $22,127

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.

Related: 51 of the Smallest Cars Ever Made

Average price: $4,750

Adjusted for inflation: $46,492

Average price: $6,074

Adjusted for inflation: $58,860

Average price: $4,333

Adjusted for inflation: $41,440

Related: Great Car Museums and Car Shows Worth The Drive

Average price: $2,780

Adjusted for inflation: $26,244

Average price: $2,398

Adjusted for inflation: $22,278

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.

Related: 16 Best Mustangs of All Time

Average price: $3,041

Adjusted for inflation: $27,468

Related: 50 of the Biggest Cars Ever Made

Average price: $2,809

Adjusted for inflation: $24,613

Average price: $3,506

Adjusted for inflation: $29,484

Average price: $2,945

Adjusted for inflation: $23,484

Related: Most Enviable Celebrity Car Collections

Average price: $3,914

Adjusted for inflation: $29,522

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.

Related: Biggest Worker Strikes in U.S. History

Average price: $5,041

Adjusted for inflation: $36,427

Average price: $3,201

Adjusted for inflation: $22,411

Related: The Most Popular Volkswagens of All Time

Average price: $3,415

Adjusted for inflation: $22,510

Average price: $4,135

Adjusted for inflation: $24,546

Average price: $4,950

Adjusted for inflation: $26,926

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.

Related: Legendary Vehicles From '70s and '80s TV Shows

Average price: $4,775

Adjusted for inflation: $24,559

Average price: $5,456

Adjusted for inflation: $26,349

Average price: $5,468

Adjusted for inflation: $24,544

Related: 21 Reasons Why Drivers Love the Ford Bronco

Average price: $5,605

Adjusted for inflation: $22,594

Average price: $6,735

Adjusted for inflation: $23,920

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.

Average price: $8,025

Adjusted for inflation: $25,837

Related: Classic Station Wagons We Miss From Childhood

Average price: $6,406

Adjusted for inflation: $19,427

Average price: $9,175

Adjusted for inflation: $26,959

Related: Most Iconic Movie and TV Cars

Average price: $11,299

Adjusted for inflation: $31,826

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.

Related: Crazy-Expensive Cars Destroyed by Hollywood

Average price: $7,799

Adjusted for inflation: $21,212

Average price: $9,366

Adjusted for inflation: $25,009

Average price: $6,801

Adjusted for inflation: $17,521

Related: Timeless Jeeps Everybody Still Loves

Average price: $11,999

Adjusted for inflation: $29,684

Average price: $14,180

Adjusted for inflation: $33,467

Related: Iconic Dodge Vehicles — the Charger, Challenger, and More 

https://blog.cheapism.com/best-dodge-cars/

Average price: $13,800

Adjusted for inflation: $30,900

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. 

Related: Ugly Cars That Never Should Have Left the Assembly Line

Average price: $14,103

Adjusted for inflation: $30,303

Average price: $12,807

Adjusted for inflation: $26,714

Average price: $24,829

Adjusted for inflation: $50,286

Related: The Classiest Cadillacs Ever Made

Average price: $17,450

Adjusted for inflation: $34,459

Average price: $20,095

Adjusted for inflation: $38,589

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. 

Average price: $18,600

Adjusted for inflation: $34,693

Related: Popular Cars for Drivers Over 50

Average price: $19,868

Adjusted for inflation: $36,227

Average price: $20,218

Adjusted for inflation: $36,300

Average price: $22,308

Adjusted for inflation: $39,187

Related: You Can Drive an Exotic Sports Car at These Racetracks

Average price: $18,745

Adjusted for inflation: $31,857

Average price: $21,635

Adjusted for inflation: $34,078

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.

Average price: $18,970

Adjusted for inflation: $29,399

Related: Unique Cars That Should Be Resurrected

Average price: $22,260

Adjusted for inflation: $33,729