Original Prices of Vitage Appliances

[daveamkrayoguy]

Post #1052306, Reply #13: (Curious about)

Hmmmmm... Using air from the spare tires to power the windshield washers?

Suppose you needed the spare, with all its air intact?

Seems like a hard compromise, when back then, there were cars that had the windshield washers as optional equipment and by some drivers done without...

— Dave

 

[spacepig]

Going back to the discussion of appliances, here are some 1954 GE appliance price lists that came with some brochures I purchased off of e-bay.

 

[eurekastar]

From the GE price sheet posted by spacepig, it is easy to see why many were still buying wringer washers.  The difference between it and a fully automatic washer was pretty substantial. 

 

[sfh074]

The 2nd tank was under ......

the back seat. Made a sloshing sound only when the primary tank was empty. Primary tank linked to secondary tank by a common fuel line. So the secondary tank being lower was always full, if fuel was in the primary. 2 electric sending units, one in each tank but one gas gauge. Reason for the dash switch. The system looked to be an oem vw accessory.

Parents also had a '67 vw 23 window Type 2 microbus purchased used. Purchased in 1970 for $750. It had the camper setup inside that was installed by some company in San Diego that did that sort of thing when it was new. The bus was originally purchased new by some guy there in San Diego off the dealer lot. I remember it had some front-end damage, that my dad fixed, and did the bodywork on when he bought it in 1970. Mostly the front bumper and a bit of damage to the passenger door, but everything else was pretty pristine. Years later dad had the motor rebuilt and drove it another 10+ years. So lets all now start about this vehicle and how it could in no way be had for $750 in 1970.

Spacepig: Great price sheets! If you look closely the "margins" that were evident shows that the dealer had a fair amount of window that they could have set their selling price for each model. Even though the manufacturer "suggested" what the price be set at. This is most likely the same business model for all car dealers. Whatever the dealer is compelled to drop the price to, to be able to "move" the car. It simply reduced their bottom line. If the car sat there long enough on the lot, I'm sure the dealer may have been "compelled" to sell the car just to break even to make room for the newer stuff coming in.

 

[bradfordwhite]

I think we can all agree that appliances, including automobiles, are made better than they were in the 1960s.  

With improved technologies and laws requiring efficiency and safety, we're generally better off.

 

A lot of products, at the core, are still the same basic unit as they were 50 years ago.   This includes petroleum based automobiles which still have 4 tires, 4 seats, doors, a motor, head lamps, etc.

refrigerators are still a metal box with shelves and a compressor to make cold.  Water pumps still pump water, toasters still use an element to make toast, dryers still tumble clothes and add heat.  

 

They may look different but most appliances are still the same inside but with more safety features.

 

And industry won't put prices on things they think they can't get people to pay.  They certainly can't force people to buy ANYTHING. 

 

So why have a certain group of people bowed to auto manufacturers and voluntarily paid ridiculous sums?  They certainly aren't in the majority.

Or even chosen to shell out $5000 for an ugly unpainted refrigerator?   LOL

 

As somebody pointed out, not all vehicles are ridiculously priced.  I recently looked at a new Honda Fit and was amazed the price was in the $16,000 range.

Whatever, the petroleum auto industry is collapsing and that's a good thing.

 

Hadn't been on the Sears website for several years.  Was amazed they didn't have washers under $400.  I remember when you could buy a Galaxy washer for $189. lol

 

 

 

 

 

 

[bradfordwhite]

Scotty Kilmer

 

This guy's been in the auto repair business for over 50 years and is fun to listen to.

 

He'll save you money and hassle, I've found.

 

[ea56]

Re: Reply #22

Thanks Bud for the info on your parents 73’ VW reserve tank set up. You learn something new everyday. When I thought about where this tank could have possibly been located the only option I could imagine was under the rear seat.

This sounds like a bad idea, kinda like the Pinto’s gas tank being located in the rear of the car, and the terrible accidents they were involved in and the major lawsuits against Ford Mo. Co. as a result of this poor design.

I would think that if you were in an accident the rear seat passengers would have been in real serious danger. But then, Volkswagon’s were never known for being particularly safe anyway. I always felt like I was in a rolling death trap when I drove mine, but they were cheap and reliable, and I was poor, so at the time they filled a need for me.

I apologize for questioning your veracity.

Eddie