New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars : MGB & GT Forum : The MG Experience

New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #1
SURFIT Mike Schultz Zionsville, IN, USA Sign in to contact 1973 MG MGB 2007 Nissan 350Z	Topic Creator (OP) Sep 28, 2007 11:53 AM Joined 18 years ago 1,003 Posts

Will anyone calculate the price of a new '73 MGB in 2007 US dollars?

(Does anyone remember the U S price of one back then?)

Mike

'73 MGB

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Re: New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #2
willie3051 William Leong Brooklyn, NY, USA Sign in to contact 1974 MG MGB GT	Sep 28, 2007 12:03 PM Joined 19 years ago 1,232 Posts

In a 1974 Road & Track Buyer's Guide, the roadster list price was shown as $3925.

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Re: New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #3
gatorbrit Richard W Raleigh, USA Sign in to contact 1977 MG MGB	Sep 28, 2007 12:07 PM Joined 16 years ago 1,437 Posts

Based on the US consumer price index, something purchased in January 1973 would cost 4.88 times as much in August 2007 (the most recent date of the CPI).

So take the 1973 price and multiply it by 4.88 to get the rough idea.

$3925*4.88 = 19,154

What a bargain!!

My Blue 77 B is gone after being totaled in a wreck. But the blog is still here...

http://1977mgb.blogspot.com/

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-09-28 12:08 PM by gatorbrit.

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Re: New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #4
rcedward Rob Edwards Raleigh, NC, USA Sign in to contact 1951 MG TD MkII "TDC6000" 1969 MG MGB "182608" 1969 MG MGC GT "8651" 1969 MG MGC GT "8806" & more	Sep 28, 2007 12:07 PM Joined 20 years ago 4,283 Posts

http://www.westegg.com/inflation/

Quote: The Inflation Calculator

What cost $3925 in 1973 would cost $18271.98 in 2006.

HTH!

EDIT: Looks like Richard and I posted at the same time! :-)

--
Rob Edwards
Raleigh, NC
http://www.mgcarz.com

If you're in NC, check out the North Carolina MG Car Club!
http://ncmgcc.org

"...good secondhand tools are much better than inferior new ones."

Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2007-09-28 12:12 PM by rcedward.

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Re: New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #5
BumbleB74 William Milholen Tidewater, Tidewater VA, USA Sign in to contact	Sep 28, 2007 12:16 PM Joined 18 years ago 8,982 Posts

Wow....I doubt I would dole out $18K or so for an MGB, even if you just time warped it straight from the factory!

Others probably would, but not me.

1974-1/2 Roadster, "Bumble Bee", Corvette Yellow - in shambles, wire wheels
1976 Roadster, "Virus", Sandglow - "driver" condition (stock + 32/36 Weber DGEV, cast iron header, 25D distributor), bolt on wheels, ON the road!

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Re: New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #6
Frank J. Mooring Frank Mooring Rutherfordton, NC, USA Sign in to contact	Sep 28, 2007 12:19 PM Joined 19 years ago 1,124 Posts

The dealer invoice for my 1979 MGB LE with air was approximately $8300. The air was $600 and the LE package was $500. Seems like a lot of money for 1979 roadster and perhaps is one of the reasons for the demise of the marquee.

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Re: New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #7
aabasiry C Cruiser Sitka, AK, USA Sign in to contact	Sep 28, 2007 12:57 PM Joined 18 years ago 514 Posts

Bear in mind that the cost of manufacturing cars has dropped substantially since the 70's with the use of robots, modern processes, etc. So, who knows, maybe it would cost even less in today's money..

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Re: New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #8
ingoldsb Terry Ingoldsby Calgary, AB, Canada Sign in to contact 1971 MG MGB	Sep 28, 2007 01:28 PM Top Contributor Joined 20 years ago 20,214 Posts

I think that $18K would be an unbelievable deal even in today's dollars. And, as Ahmed has noted, cars are much cheaper to manufacture now than they were. More precisely, you get a lot more for the same dollar (computer controlled ignition and fuel, air bags, ABS brakes, air conditioning).

However, I dispute the cost of living index used. In 1973 I was starting my first real job (at the A&W). I got paid $1.10/hour to start. Driving by a local Dairy Queen recently I saw a sign that said, Help Wanted - $11.00/hour to start. So, that is 10 times greater salary for essentially the same job.

Now which is better - to look at wages or look at costs? It is hard to say. The problem with the price indices is that some items have dropped dramatically in price (even in real dollars) - that hides the increases in other items.

Terry Ingoldsby
terry.ingoldsby@DCExperts.com

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Re: New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #9
graflexmaster Michael Hazelmyer Tacoma, Wa., USA Sign in to contact 1964 Fiat 2300S Coupe 1965 Austin-Healey Sprite 1966 Rover 2000TC 1968 Austin-Healey SPRITE & more	Sep 28, 2007 01:38 PM Joined 16 years ago 871 Posts

ingoldsb Wrote:

Quote: IHowever, I dispute the cost of living index used. In 1973 I was starting my first real job (at the A&W). I got paid $1.10/hour to start. Driving by a local Dairy Queen recently I saw a sign that said, Help Wanted - $11.00/hour to start. So, that is 10 times greater salary for essentially the same job.

By the same token, in 1983 I was working for Milgard windows (a major window mfg co on the West coast), as a warehouseman making 16.54/hr w/full benefits. today? the same job (for the same company) pays 8.25/hr w/no benefits. so there you have wage deflation on a 50% basis..... we are becomming a minimum wage society as I also saw an ad in the classifieds of a local paper... for a company looking to fill an HR position... Req masters degree with 10 years Exp. Wage listed? 9.00/hr

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Re: New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #10
Simon Simon Clowes Vancouver, WA, USA Sign in to contact 2007 Saturn Vue "Vue With The Room"	Sep 28, 2007 02:50 PM Joined 25 years ago 8,848 Posts

Yes most place either want an 18yr old with 10 years experience, or a more experienced guy, who'll work for 18yrs old wages..

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Re: New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #11
underdog Jim Underwood Pittsburgh, USA Sign in to contact 1972 MG MGB 1980 Triumph TR8 "Fabulous Trashwagon" 1999 Chevrolet Corvette "Darth Vader" 1999 Chevrolet S10 "Spare Change" & more	Sep 28, 2007 02:57 PM Joined 16 years ago 10,355 Posts

So what's a new Miata cost? That's probably the answer to the question since even if you could build a brand new B today, it would probably have to be much different to pass the Feds guidelines.

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Re: New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #12
sshack Steve Shack Victoria, Canada Sign in to contact	Sep 28, 2007 03:13 PM Joined 19 years ago 2,929 Posts

miata costs $20,585 - 27,620 according to "consume guide".
http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2007-mazda-mx-5.htm

I'd like to see someone make an even simpler car though. Literally an MGB, with the electricals fixed, and the heater valve fixed. That's it. Or a frogeye or any really
simple fun to drive car.

The smart roadster, now ac ace may be able to pull it off. If they come
to north american I'll be outside the dealers doors on opening day for a test drive.

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Re: New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #13
MudSnow Nathan ~ OR, USA Sign in to contact 1972 MG MGB GT	Sep 28, 2007 04:40 PM Joined 19 years ago 3,236 Posts

Yes, $18,000 or $19,000 is not a good deal at all, compared to the price of a Miata, which has much better quality in every detail.

But with the MGB's features, they ought to be able to sell it for <$16,000 today, with the same panel fit and electrical quality as the Miata.

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Re: New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #14
Redtail Z M S.F., USA Sign in to contact	Sep 28, 2007 06:12 PM Joined 17 years ago 105 Posts

I wonder what the market would be for a super-simple roadster in the LBC mold? Probably every classic car enthusaist would at least consider or lust after one if done right.

graflexmaster Wrote:

Quote: ingoldsb Wrote:Quote:
we are becomming a minimum wage society as I also saw an ad in the classifieds of a local paper... for a company looking to fill an HR position... Req masters degree with 10 years Exp. Wage listed? 9.00/hr

That makes me sick. just sick.

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Re: New '73 MGB Price in Today's Dollars #15
sshack Steve Shack Victoria, Canada Sign in to contact	Sep 28, 2007 07:35 PM Joined 19 years ago 2,929 Posts

Only because in the HR dept that's doing the hiring people barely have HS diplomas.

Back in the 90's I regularly saw ads for java programmers requiring 10 years experience. At this point Java had only been around 4 years. Same with microsoft .net, right when it came out people were asking for 5 years experience.

1) HR departments are full of idiots. 2) Aim for the moon, settle for something just short.

Redtail Wrote:

Quote: I wonder what the market would be for a super-simple roadster in the LBC mold? Probably every classic car enthusaist would at least consider or lust after one if done right.
graflexmaster Wrote:Quote:
ingoldsb Wrote:Quote:
we are becomming a minimum wage society as I also saw an ad in the classifieds of a local paper... for a company looking to fill an HR position... Req masters degree with 10 years Exp. Wage listed? 9.00/hr
That makes me sick. just sick.

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