No Thanks

OPS last week gave the Ford Motor Co. the green light for a price boost averaging close to 5% on 1952 models. But Ford said no thanks. Instead, Ford boosted prices a scant 3% on most models, actually reduced prices slightly on three. Ford was following the lead of General Motors, which did not take the full hike permitted by OPS under the Capehart Amendment.

The auto men could still change their minds and revise prices up to the ceiling. But they were taking no chances of pricing their cars out of the market. In the past six years, car prices have risen enough to cause many a motorist to think twice before turning in his old car on a new one. Sample factory list prices on four-door models:

1946 1952

Ford Customline $1,004 $1,685

Buick Super "51" 1,397 2,245

Chevrolet Styleline Special 894 1,533

Cadillac Series "60" 3,099 4,323

Pontiac Chieftain 1,434 1,995

Chrysler New Yorker 1,945 3,135

Plymouth Cranbrook 1,225 1,689

Oldsmobile Classic 98 1,565 2,532

Mercury Custom 1,162 2,040

Prices in 1946 rarely included extra equipment such as radio, heater, etc., while some of the 1952 prices do include extras. Auto men quote factory list prices (usually Detroit), but to figure out his bill a motorist must add on shipping charges, taxes and equipment which is optional. These charges to a customer in New York, for example, can push the bill up as much as $700 on low-priced cars and $1,300 on high-priced models.

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