How much was a Ford in the 1930s?
In the 1930s, Ford passenger cars typically sold for a few hundred to around a thousand dollars, with price depending on model, body style, and options.
During the decade of the Great Depression, automakers kept prices within reach for many buyers, but the exact cost varied year by year and by the choice of body style. Ford offered a spectrum—from affordable open models to more comfortable and enclosed designs, and later the efficient V-8 lineup introduced in 1932—so there wasn't a single fixed price for "a Ford" in the era.
Prices by Model Type
The list below outlines typical price bands across Ford's lineup in the early to mid-1930s. Prices are pre-tax sticker figures from catalogs and advertisements and reflect the range buyers could expect depending on the model and body style.
- Standard passenger models (open-runabout, touring, and basic coupes): roughly 400 to 700 dollars, depending on year and trim.
- Deluxe/closed-body sedans and more comfortable coupes: roughly 600 to 900 dollars.
- Ford V-8 models (introduced in 1932 as a cost-conscious performance option): roughly 800 to 1,000 dollars, depending on body style and features.
Prices varied by year, region, dealer, and optional equipment; the line-up's overall strategy emphasized affordability as a selling point during economic hardship.
Notes for collectors
For collectors and restorers, prices in catalogs provide baseline figures rather than guaranteed sale prices. Regional differences, condition, and originality can shift actual values in the market today.
Representative Examples by Year
To illustrate how the figures played out in practice, here are typical price points for some common Ford configurations in the 1930s.
- Open models with simpler trim: around 400–500 dollars.
- Four-door sedans and coupes with standard features: around 700–900 dollars.
- V-8 powered models (mid-range to higher-end for the era): around 800–1,000 dollars.
These example figures mirror what buyers would have seen in dealer showrooms and in period catalogs, with variations by year and region.
Summary
During the 1930s, a Ford could cost anywhere from roughly a few hundred dollars for the most basic open models to around a thousand dollars for more elaborate closed-body designs and the V-8 variants. Prices fluctuated with the economy, the model, and the body style, reflecting Ford's focus on offering accessible transport during a challenging decade.
How much did a Ford cost in the 1930s?
The table below shows the new car prices, FOB Detroit, without accessories or “dealer markup”:
| Body Style | 1928 | 1930 |
|---|---|---|
| Roadster | 385 | $450 |
| De Luxe Roadster | — | $520 |
| Standard Coupe | $495 | $495 |
| De Luxe Coupe | — | $545 |
How much did a Ford V8 cost in 1934?
$575.00
1934 was the highlight of the Ford V8s; they were solid, dependable and pretty cars and most importantly at $575.00 brand new, still a bargain. Most of the styling changes on the 1934 cars were carried over from the 1933 model year upgrades.
How much was it to buy a car in 1930?
In 1930, a new car cost about $600 on average. However, prices varied significantly by make and model, with specific cars like the Ford Model A Roadster costing around $450 and the Standard Coupe costing $495. The cost of new cars was also impacted by the Great Depression, which made used cars more popular as they were cheaper.
- Average price: The average price for a new car was around $600.
- Specific models: A Ford Model A Roadster was priced at about $450, and a Standard Coupe was $495, according to Model A Ford Club of America.
- Impact of the Depression: The economic downturn led to a rise in popularity for used cars, as they were more affordable.
- Used cars: By 1935, the average price for a used car was about $214.
How much did a Ford cost in 1932?
Prices ranged from $430 dollars for the Model B two-passenger Roadster to $650 for the five-passenger Town Sedan. The 1932 Fords had a 106-inch wheelbase and either a 50 HP 4-cylinder engine or the V-8 engine which produced 65 HP.
