Re: Which cars were comparable to pre-War Packs?

Posted by 58L8134 On 2014/12/29 20:03:25

Hi

The 120 had many worthy competitors. Taking the 5-passenger touring sedan as the common standard, here's what the potential 120 buyer also had to choose from.

1936: 120 at $1,115 versus Buick Century $1,090; Chrysler Deluxe Airstream Eight, $1,045; Hupmobile Eight 621N, $1075; Nash Ambassador Super Eight 3680, $995; Studebaker President Eight Custom Cruising Sedan, $1065.

1940: 120 at $1,166 against Buick Super, $1109; Buick Century, $1211; Chrysler Traveler Eight C-26, $1180; Hudson Country Club Eight, $1144; Nash Ambassador Eight 4080, $1195, Studebaker President Eight Delux-Tone Cruising Sedan, $1135.

As fine a car as the 120 is, one can see the buyer had a lot of good options, both sixes and eights. Some presented more modern styling or features but there really wasn't a lousy choice in the lot. For a good many buyers, it probably came down to whether there was a dealer for their preferred car available locally , what the dealer's reputation was, whether a deal could be made with trade-in, etc.

For the most part, Cadillacs, LaSalles, Buick Roadmasters, Lincoln-Zephyrs, Chrysler New Yorkers, were priced above the 120 range, more in the 120 Deluxe or 160 class, dependent upon model.

Steve