It was 1.72 when I got there, in 1980. Many GIs were driving old clunker cars. When I left in 1984, it was 2.37, and the old clunkers had virtually disappeared from the Autobahns. Everyone seemed to remember the exchange rates when they arrived and when they left.
Pelham is speaking of the old German Mark currency exchange rate, you, I assume, are talking of the Euro.
I was looking at a BMW 2002 in 1969 when the dollar dropped 10% against the Mark. No BMW for me!