How much did a Dodge Coronet cost in 1950?
The Dodge Coronet cost roughly around the $2,000 mark in 1950, with exact pricing varying by body style and optional equipment.
Historical context of the Coronet in 1950
In 1950, the Coronet designation signified Dodge’s premium offering within the mainstream lineup. It was positioned above the base models and DeLuxe trim, delivering more features and styling cues without moving into luxury-brand territory. Buyers could choose from several body styles, each with its own price tier influenced by options like radios, heaters, and other accessories.
Pricing overview
Prices varied by body style and options. The figures below reflect typical sticker prices before dealer discounts, taxes, and added equipment. Higher-trim versions and convertibles generally cost more than the base configurations.
- Two-door sedan: about $1,900–$2,000
- Four-door sedan: about $2,000–$2,200
- Convertible or higher-trim body styles: roughly $2,200–$2,400
These ranges illustrate the Coronet’s place as Dodge’s premium mainstream option in 1950, with the final price depending on the chosen body style and offered options.
Inflation context and buying power (brief)
When adjusted for inflation, the 1950 price would translate to several times its nominal value in today’s dollars, reflecting how postwar consumers evaluated value, features, and performance in a rapidly growing automotive market.
Summary
In 1950 the Dodge Coronet carried a price around the $2,000 mark, with variations tied to body style and optional equipment. It represented Dodge’s premium mainstream option that year, balancing features and value for buyers in a flourishing postwar market.
How much did a car cost in 1950?
The average cost of a new car in 1950 was around $1,510, though prices varied significantly by model and features. For example, a Ford Custom was about $1,511, while a Dodge Coronet was around $1,927.
Example 1950 car prices:
- Ford Custom: Approximately $1,511
- Dodge Coronet: Approximately $1,927
- Pontiac Catalina: Approximately $2,127
- Chrysler Windsor: Approximately $2,329
- Cadillac DeVille: Approximately $3,523
How much is a 1950 Dodge Coronet worth?
The value of a 1950 Dodge Coronet varies significantly based on condition, with a wide range of prices seen in recent sales and market analyses. A well-maintained, good-condition example might be valued around $24,050$ 24 comma 050$24,050, while prices for cars in poorer condition can be significantly lower. Factors like a car's history, mileage, and specific options also heavily influence its final price.
Factors influencing value
- Condition: A car's condition is the most significant factor in determining its value. Pristine, highly original, or professionally restored vehicles command the highest prices.
- History: A car's history, including any past accidents or title issues, can drastically reduce its value.
- Mileage: Lower mileage can increase a vehicle's value, though the average mileage for a collector car of this age may be unknown.
- Options and modifications: Desirable factory options or well-executed modifications can add value, while incorrect or poorly done modifications can lower it.
- Model and trim: The 1950 Dodge Coronet was available in different configurations, such as the Sierra station wagon, which may have its own price variations. For example, a 1950 Dodge Coronet Sierra in good condition is typically valued around $22,600.
Recent sales data
- Average condition: Approximately $24,050$ 24 comma 050$24,050 for a good-condition example with average specifications.
- High end: Some restored or rare examples can fetch much higher prices. For instance, the highest auction price for a 1950 Coronet in the last three years was $3,550$ 3 comma 550$3,550.
- Low end: Vehicles requiring extensive work or with title problems may sell for much less.
- Recent public auction sales: A 1950 Dodge Coronet sold for $3,550$ 3 comma 550$3,550 on July 08, 2025.
Where to find more information
- Hagerty: A valuable resource for collector car valuation, with detailed information on various models and conditions.
- Classic.com: Provides a comprehensive overview of past sales and market trends for specific vehicles.
- Carsforsale.com: Lists current vehicles for sale, which can give you an idea of asking prices in the current market.
What was the most expensive car in the 1950s?
The most expensive car in 1950 was likely the 1953 Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta Convertible, which had a price tag of about $5,715. It's important to distinguish this from later 1950s luxury cars that cost much more, like the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham and the 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II, and to also differentiate between the cost when new and the much higher prices these cars can command today at auction.
You can watch this video to learn more about the most expensive American cars of the 1950s, including the Cadillac Eldorado Brougham: 58sSMS Auto FabricsYouTube · Nov 7, 2024
Expensive cars from 1950
- 1953 Oldsmobile 98 Fiesta Convertible: With a price tag of about $5,715$ 5 comma 715$5,715, this car was likely one of the most expensive to be sold in 1950, especially considering its limited production run of 458 units.
- Nash Healey: This car, which was first introduced in 1951, had an initial price of around $6,000$ 6 comma 000$6,000, which was twice the cost of the contemporary Corvette and Thunderbird models.
- Jaguar D-Type: Although its price when new is not specified, it's notable that this car is still considered collectible today, with some fetching prices up to $4$ 4$4 million.
Expensive cars from the rest of the 1950s
- 1956 Lincoln Continental Mark II: This car had a price of $10,000$ 10 comma 000$10,000 and was the most expensive American car available at the time.
- 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham: This car's price tag was nearly $14,000$ 14 comma 000$14,000, making it one of the most expensive American cars of the 1950s.
You can also watch this video to learn about the 1956 Bentley S1 Continental drophead coupe, another very expensive car from the 1950s: 53sKing of Classic CarsYouTube · Jul 8, 2025
Most expensive car ever sold from the 1950s
- 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR "Uhlenhaut Coupe": This car broke the record for the most expensive car ever sold when it was auctioned in 2022 for over $142$ 142$142 million.
How much does a Dodge Coronet cost?
Typically, you can expect to pay around $65,300 for a 1969 Dodge Coronet R/T in good condition with average spec.
