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Price of a '23 Touring when New?
Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 8:11 am
by 5 WoodenWheels
Hello all, I've looked at some different sources on the web as well as doing a search of this forum. My interest is in knowing roughly what my '23 Touring would have cost when new--1n 1923 dollars, that is. As you're probably aware, when an antique car comes on the scene people are invariably interested in knowing all about it or at least asking what the heck it is. They are real conversation-starters. I thought it would be helpful to add the original cost to whatever else I know about the car. Thanking you from Maryland, Gerrit
Re: Price of a '23 Touring when New?
Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 8:39 am
by Humblej
Worth the time for you to check out the MTFCA Encyclopedia under the MTFCA Resources tab, then go to old version.
$380 with demountable wheels and starter/generator.
Re: Price of a '23 Touring when New?
Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 9:18 am
by 5 WoodenWheels
Thanks for the helpful information, HumbleJ. I’ll look at the other resources you mentioned. Gerrit
Re: Price of a '23 Touring when New?
Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 9:38 am
by TXGOAT2
For a more complete perspective on the car's original cost, obtain a 'list" price in 1923 dollars and also get a price in today's "dollars". It's worth noting that prices touted in Ford's period advertisements applied to cars delivered at the Detroit factory. Most people paid more, due to cost of shipping and general dealer overhead, including taxes, if any. It's no longer legal to manufacture or import a truly basic, functional, low-priced car for sale in the USA anymore. The last such cars made were probably the VW Beetles made in Mexico, and not available to Americans. Some cars made in India or S. Korea for domestic consumption might qualify, but are not allowed for Americans. Many issues of old newspapers from around the country can be found online today, and many of these have automobile ads in them. Researching these sources might give some good information on what Ford cars, new and used, were selling for around the country in the T era.
Re: Price of a '23 Touring when New?
Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 9:50 am
by Steve Jelf
The encyclopedia on this website is an abridged version of Bruce McCalley's Model T Encyclopedia. The full encyclopedia on flash drive comes with owners' manuals for every year, Ford Methods and Shops, The First Six Years (Fords before the Model T), tool lists, and other extras. I call it the best sixty bucks you can spend on a Model T.
https://dauntlessgeezer.com/DG80.html
Re: Price of a '23 Touring when New?
Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 10:08 am
by Steve Jelf
It's worth noting that prices touted in Ford's period advertisements applied to cars delivered at the Detroit factory. Most people paid more, due to cost of shipping and general dealer overhead, including taxes, if any.
I don't know how much the shipping and overhead would have been, but my dad went to Detroit and bought a new 1935 Ford at the factory to get the best price. I believe he paid $535 for it.
Re: Price of a '23 Touring when New?
Posted: Tue May 03, 2022 10:53 am
by 5 WoodenWheels
Interesting comments, thanks. Yes, it would be interesting to know how many of today’s dollars would be needed to make the equivalent purchase in 1923.
I’ll provide this link with no further comment other than to say I take everything on the internet with a grain of salt. And the other thing I’ll say is that I didn’t pay much more for my ‘23 Touring than its adjusted for inflation value if I’m to believe the numbers here. Thanks again for the replies. Gerrit
https://www.in2013dollars.com/us/infla ... amount=380