How much did a 1930 car cost

Most new mass‑market cars in 1930 sold for roughly $500–$800, with popular models such as the Ford Model A and Chevrolet “Universal” typically listing around $495–$650; mid‑market cars often ran $900–$1,500, while premium and luxury models ranged from about $2,500 to well over $6,000—and ultra‑luxury coachbuilt cars like the Duesenberg Model J could exceed $13,000. Adjusted for inflation, that puts everyday cars at roughly $9,500–$13,000 in today’s dollars, and halo models well into the six figures. Prices varied by body style, brand, equipment, and the rapidly shifting economy at the outset of the Great Depression.

Typical price ranges in 1930

The following ranges reflect factory list prices in the United States for new cars during the 1930 model year. They illustrate how costs scaled from basic transportation to prestige automobiles, before freight, taxes, and dealer fees.

• Entry-level mass market (Ford, Chevrolet, Plymouth, etc.): about $450–$800
• Mid-market/upscale (Pontiac, Hudson/Essex, Dodge, some Buicks): about $900–$1,500
• Luxury (Packard, Lincoln, higher-trim Cadillac): about $2,000–$6,000
• Ultra-luxury/coachbuilt (Cadillac V‑16, Duesenberg Model J, bespoke bodies): about $8,500–$15,000+ (chassis and custom coachwork)

These bands capture most new-car stickers of the day: a broad middle dominated by sub‑$1,000 cars, and a steep climb for prestige marques and hand‑built bodies.

Representative models and their 1930 sticker prices

Below are indicative factory prices for notable 1930 models and common body styles. Exact figures varied by trim, options, and timing within the model year, but the examples give a reliable snapshot of what buyers saw in period advertisements and catalogs.

• Ford Model A (various body styles): roughly $495–$590 (e.g., Standard Coupe around $495; Tudor Sedan around $545; Fordor around $590)
• Chevrolet “Universal” Series AD: roughly $495–$650 (e.g., Roadster about $495; Coach around $565; Sedan around $645)
• Plymouth Model U: roughly $600–$725 (roadsters and coupes at the low end; sedans higher)
• Pontiac (late-1920s/1930 sixes): roughly $745–$900 depending on body
• Hudson/Essex: commonly $700–$1,100 across body styles and trims
• Packard Standard/Eight: roughly $2,400–$3,500 depending on wheelbase and coachwork
• Cadillac V‑8 (Series 353): often $3,000–$4,700 across sedans and specialties
• Cadillac V‑16 (Series 452): typically $5,350–$7,500+ depending on body
• Duesenberg Model J: $8,500 for the chassis; completed cars commonly $13,000–$19,000+ with custom coachwork

For mainstream families, a Ford, Chevrolet, or Plymouth was the norm; Packard, Cadillac, and Duesenberg prices reflected bespoke bodies, larger engines, and luxury features far beyond everyday transportation.

What those prices mean in today’s dollars

Using long-run consumer price inflation (roughly a 17–20× increase from 1930 to 2025), the 1930 sticker prices convert as follows. This gives a modern sense of relative cost, though cars’ features and household incomes have changed significantly.

• $450–$800 (mass-market) ≈ about $8,000–$15,000 today
• $900–$1,500 (mid-market) ≈ about $16,000–$29,000 today
• $2,000–$6,000 (luxury) ≈ about $36,000–$114,000 today
• $8,500–$15,000 (ultra-luxury/coachbuilt) ≈ about $160,000–$285,000+ today

While the CPI translation is useful, cars’ affordability also depends on wages and credit availability. In 1930, a $600 car represented a large share of an average worker’s annual earnings, even as list prices look low by modern standards.

What drove the price

Several factors made one 1930 car cost hundreds and another many thousands. Understanding them helps explain the wide spread across the market.

• Body style and size: Open roadsters and coupes were cheaper than closed sedans; longer wheelbases and seven-passenger bodies cost more.
• Brand positioning: Mass producers (Ford, Chevrolet) chased volume and price; prestige marques emphasized craftsmanship, quietness, and status.
• Materials and engineering: Eight-, twelve-, and sixteen‑cylinder engines, fine upholstery, and custom coachwork raised prices substantially.
• Economic conditions: The Great Depression pressured makers to discount or simplify trims, but luxury brands maintained high list prices.
• Dealer and destination charges: Freight, taxes, optional equipment, and dealer-installed items added to factory list prices.

Together, these factors created a stratified market: affordable transportation for the many, and exquisitely built automobiles for the few.

Finding a precise price for a specific 1930 car

If you need an exact figure for a particular model and body style, period documentation is the best guide. The sources below commonly list factory prices by trim and model year.

• Manufacturer catalogs and dealer data books for the 1930 model year
• Period newspaper advertisements and magazine issues (Saturday Evening Post, Life, local papers)
• Contemporary buyer’s guides and later compilations from marque clubs and museums
• Archive collections (Library of Congress, Smithsonian), and specialty publishers reproducing factory literature

These records can pinpoint original list prices and note mid‑year changes or special editions that affect the numbers.

Summary

In 1930, a new car commonly cost $500–$800 for mainstream models, $900–$1,500 for mid‑market choices, $2,000–$6,000 for luxury, and upwards of $8,500 for bespoke ultra‑luxury machines. In today’s dollars, that translates to roughly $8,000–$15,000 for everyday cars and well over $150,000 for top‑tier coachbuilt automobiles. Exact prices depended on body style, brand, features, and the turbulent early years of the Great Depression.