The Ford Barn

jmeckel · 02-10-2013, 12:18 PM

Attached is a document I put togather showing some of the price comparisons between 1929 and 2012, along with some other facts I found interesting. I did not spend a large amount of time validating the sources so the numbers may not be perfect, however they do get the points across.

P.S. · 02-10-2013, 02:08 PM

Well done!!!

Russell in Tulsa · 02-10-2013, 06:09 PM

Nice work!

Kurt in NJ · 02-10-2013, 07:14 PM

It's cheaper to buy and drive a model A now than when they were new

Napa Skip · 02-10-2013, 08:54 PM

Very interesting post and good analysis. I keep a copy of one of my Dad’s pay stubs, not from 1929 (he was only 8 at that time) but from March 7th, 1941 when he was a P-38 mechanic for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Burbank CA. Total hours: 40; Gross Earnings: $20.40; State Unemployment Insurance: $0.20; Federal OAB (Old Age Benefits, i.e., Social Security): $0.20; Group Insurance: $0.58; Miscellaneous Deductions: $0.52; Net Earnings (take-home pay): $18.90/week.

On this amount (he was single at the time) he told me he drove a Lincoln and co-owned an airplane (which he had to sell in early 1942 inasmuch as they closed down airspace over Los Angeles to civilian aircraft after the attack on Pearl Harbor).

Times certainly have changed

Mike V. Florida · 02-11-2013, 01:51 AM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

I have a "Back in the day" book I pick up at a card shop for the year of my car that has the same kind of stuff.

Special Coupe Frank · 02-11-2013, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kurt in NJ

It's cheaper to buy and drive a model A now than when they were new

Well, it IS a used-car, after all...

matt92vr4 · 02-11-2013, 08:51 AM

Using those figures it doesn't seem like we're doing too bad. One figure that will throw this off is debt. Back then people owned their belongings. Now everyone is in debt up to their eyeballs.

BILL WILLIAMSON · 02-11-2013, 07:39 PM

In some bygone era?? Chief said he bought Tuff-Nut bib overalls for 39 cents, hmm! pretty cheap, he also said he was working for 50 cents a DAY!!
Were they REALLY the GOOD OLD DAYS----------Bill W.

MikeK · 04-22-2013, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matt92vr4

. . . Now everyone is in debt up to their eyeballs.

The average US citizen is now an inch taller than 1929. Does this mean the debt ceiling has been raised?

Stretch Cab · 04-22-2013, 07:26 PM

Taxes would need to be figured in also to see how we are really doing today.

02-10-2013, 02:08 PM	#2
P.S. Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: California Posts: 1,742	Re: Price comparisons 1929 to 2012 Well done!!!

02-10-2013, 06:09 PM	#3
Russell in Tulsa Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Tulsa Oklahoma Posts: 298	Re: Price comparisons 1929 to 2012 Nice work!

02-10-2013, 07:14 PM	#4
Kurt in NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: on the Littlefield Posts: 6,181	Re: Price comparisons 1929 to 2012 It's cheaper to buy and drive a model A now than when they were new

02-10-2013, 08:54 PM	#5
Napa Skip Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Napa CA Posts: 412	Re: Price comparisons 1929 to 2012 Very interesting post and good analysis. I keep a copy of one of my Dad’s pay stubs, not from 1929 (he was only 8 at that time) but from March 7th, 1941 when he was a P-38 mechanic for Lockheed Aircraft Corporation in Burbank CA. Total hours: 40; Gross Earnings: $20.40; State Unemployment Insurance: $0.20; Federal OAB (Old Age Benefits, i.e., Social Security): $0.20; Group Insurance: $0.58; Miscellaneous Deductions: $0.52; Net Earnings (take-home pay): $18.90/week. On this amount (he was single at the time) he told me he drove a Lincoln and co-owned an airplane (which he had to sell in early 1942 inasmuch as they closed down airspace over Los Angeles to civilian aircraft after the attack on Pearl Harbor). Times certainly have changed __________________ Skip Keyser Napa Valley A's Olympic Vintage Auto Club (1980-1982) MARC of San Diego (1977-1978) MAFCA (since 1978) MARC (since 1977) ---------- Model A owners belong in their Model A’s; Model A’s belong on the road.

02-11-2013, 01:51 AM	#6
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: Price comparisons 1929 to 2012 Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I have a "Back in the day" book I pick up at a card shop for the year of my car that has the same kind of stuff. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

02-11-2013, 08:51 AM	#8
matt92vr4 Member Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: Venice, FL Posts: 89	Re: Price comparisons 1929 to 2012 Using those figures it doesn't seem like we're doing too bad. One figure that will throw this off is debt. Back then people owned their belongings. Now everyone is in debt up to their eyeballs. __________________ 1929 Model A 1992 Galant VR4 474/1000 2007 Prius 54mpg

04-22-2013, 07:26 PM	#11
Stretch Cab Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Lexington, NC Posts: 697	Re: Price comparisons 1929 to 2012 Taxes would need to be figured in also to see how we are really doing today.