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-   -   Cost of classic cars when new? Pics of invoices included (https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/vintage-cars-classics-india/135712-cost-classic-cars-when-new-pics-invoices-included.html)

Often I am asked what a popular car costed when new in India, and I have no idea. Thought why not have a discussion on it.

Here is what I have

My 1955 Fiat 1100 was probably bought new for 11,000 rupees, plus 200 rupees transportation by train to Delhi

My 1963 Vespa was bought new for a princely Rs. 2,544.79

My 1969 Jawa was bought new for Rs. 4,511.70

I remember Behram mentioning the cost of a Padmini, hopefully he will share his experiences here.

Anybody knew the cost of an Amby or Standard 10/Herald when new?

Yezdi 1974 - Rs. 6300/-. :)

We bought a brand new premier padmini in 1973 for 23k = sexy turquoise blue with pastal milky white turquoise blue seats. She was sold in 1984 for 44k with 70k km on her

Came across these posted by anjan earlier. Note Kaiser speaks of Bhandup assembly

My dad purchased brand new Amby mark2 in march 1964 from National Garage Mumbai ,on road for 18,600/-.It was delivered with metal sunshade as free gift to us in those days along with the car.

In 1964 a Mark1 Herald cost Rs.12000/-
In1977 a Premier Padmini special cost Rs.37000.Both the prices are based on delivery in Kerala.

These prices are for the year 1947: i have the original price lists of the individual cars listed here

Buick 51 exclusive of taxes: rs 13,000/-
Hindustan 10 exclusive of taxes:rs 7700/- fixed head, rs 7850/- sliding head

That's great - can you share a scan? Neat to see Rs 150 more for the sun roof:D

My dad used to tell me that his uncle bought a brand new Amby in those days for a meagre 10000 rs.! I didn't trust him and told him that he must have forgotten the number of Zeroes after 1. stupid: Now, I stand corrected. Those days. I am 23 years old and during my childhood, Esteems and Cielos were priced at 5 and 7 lakhs respectively for a brand new one! Now, you'll only get a basic, albeit good hatch back for 7 lakhs! Time is changing and for me, changing for the worse. :Frustrati

I am sorry to say that you are making a wrong inference here.You are correct that an Esteem cost Rs.5lakhs and a Cielo Rs.7lakhs.The hot hatch of that period(95-98)Maruti Zen cost around 3.75lakhs.But you should consider the fact that the actual value of INR(rupee) has depreciated a lot since then.So in actual PPP(purchasing power parity) terms similar cars are available at much lesser prices. Seven lakhs in 1996 must be worth atleast 28 lakhs now.You can get a BMW X1 or Q3 (entry level) for that sum.Now please think whether it is better or worse for you in terms of car prices:)

Hi Ajay,
can you share the cost of 194X/195X/196X vis a vis cost today. It will provide a good idea of what a Rupee could by then :)

We bought Priya 150 cc (Maharashtra Scooters Limited) in 1981 for 7708.00 It was after 4 years of booking.

Bajaj - 150 1973 3 Gears -- 2300 INR
plus accessories worth 300 Rs :)

My father bought a '59 Amby in '87 from the original owner for 25k. The invoice price in '59 was 11.5k. We had it till '97 and sold it for 45k. Cars had appreciating value those days.

First of all INR in its present form came into being only in the fifties.
and secondly the Inflation Index ,PPP etc is being used commonly since the eighties,so it is a bit difficult to calculate the value of a rupee in the sixties.one rough estimate will be Rs.1000 in 1960 should be equivalent to around Rs500,000/-