In the last issue of Grassroots Motorsports (May 2004) there is an article about old cars vs new cars where they do dollar comparisons to various years. In particular the article was a comparison of old 240z to new 350z (datsun/nissan). Anyway they state that a 1970 240z which stickered at $3526 would now be worth $17287. I know that isn't the exact time frame you are looking at, but it translates into 14.4% per year (not compounding). So using that logic a car that stickered at 41k in 1978 dollars would be about $153K (assuming my math is right). If you don't get the magazine, it is a pretty good source for the do it yourselfer types.
Here's a helpful inflation calculator: http://www.westegg.com/inflation/ A 1981 308 GTSi that stickered at $53,385 would be worth about $112,000 in today's money. My 1967 330 2+2 stickered at $14,200, which was actually $300 MORE than a 275 GTB, and would be around $76,000 today. Just remember, in 1963 a SWB California Spider was $12,900. That's less than $74,000 today. How much are they worth today? --Matt
(sorry for straying off-topic in this "price" thread) No, I had only certain areas painted, but thinking of it now, I'd say 70% of the car was repainted: whole front nose (plus the dent fixed), trunklid, rear fenders plus the matt-black Boxer trim all around the lower half of the car. Actually, I just got in touch with the shop and it looks like it'll be ready on Monday. They'll take all day tomorrow to reassemble the parts they removed for the job. I'll post in a separate thread the amount of work done (hours and price).
1978 308 GTS from Grand Prix SSR Co, East Setauket NY Price of Vehicle 32,200.00 Optional Equip -- Accessories: Fox XK Radar Detector 250.00 Blau Berlin AM/FM Cassette Recorder 1300.00 2 Craig Powerplay Speaks 75.00 Pair of Floor Mats 30.00 RHS Mirror (installed) 25.00 Shift knob NC Total 33,880.00 Less trade-in of 77 Corvette: 7,700
DJ, Check out this website...http://www.westegg.com/inflation/ It's pretty cool to look stuff up and see what it would cost today. To answer the question though it's about $117,032 in 2002 dollars. OOPS- didn't see the info was already posted!!