That $3014 in 1968 is $21,125 today after inflation.
Of course it is. Fun to make today dollar comparisons to yesteryear dollars, though.
But notice that today’s car is 50% costlier in constant dollars. Most all of that increase is due to government regulation. Of course, that HAS made cars a LOT safer and cleaner, no doubt about that.
I remember seeing new pick up trucks for sale $1999! No AC, no radio, standard shift. That was in 1970.
Then there were those new ones for sale in Arkansas which were out of state wrecked junk, rebuilt and drove into Arkansas where you could get a new clean title showing it had NEVER been driven.
My boss bought a brand new one, paid cash. Not long after I noticed a “slight” difference in the color of the paint on the trunk and rear quarter panel. a quick check showed lots of bondo all over those areas. A wreck that was rebuilt in Missouri by the salvage company.