Some classic automobiles are currently among the most expensive vehicles in the world. But were they always that costly? Some cars were a real bargain when they were launched and we believe that even their manufacturers didn’t expect them to reach their current price tags.

Here is the price evolution of several models that we all would like to have in our garage…

The 1950s — Golden Age for the U.S. Automotive Industry

Chevrolet Bel Air

Launched in 1955, the Chevy Bel Air is a beautiful vehicle that catches the eye even to this day. At the time, it was sold for the amazing price of $1,987 and buyers could choose one of the following variations — two-doors, convertible, and four-door sedan. Today, the vehicle costs around $49,600 and is highly sought after by collectors.

Pontiac Catalina

Labeled “the most beautiful thing on wheels” from several renowned automotive critics from the ’50s, the Pontiac Catalina used to cost $2,217. Modern-day buyers can acquire this powerful and dashing vehicle for a little less than $38,000.

Dodge Coronet

The Dodge Coronet was a stylish full-size car with a reasonable price tag of $1,927. Buyers could enjoy enough leg room without breaking the bank. The vehicle could be found in several body styles, from a chic convertible to two and four-door sedans. Nowadays, you can get one for an estimate of $10,200.

Some Classic Cars Cost More Than Modern Exotic Vehicles

Oldsmobile 88 Fiesta

With its sleek and elegant design, the 88 Fiesta was a head-turner during the 1950s. It had many advanced features for its time and was fun and comfortable to drive but only a few of them were made. That’s why this super-rare wagon currently holds a price tag that revolves between $200,000 and $220,000, which is way more than its original price of $3,541.

Some classic cars are much more valuable than their modern counterparts, so the next time you walk past one, stop and admire it because you may be looking at a treasure on wheels.

Within the world of luxury cars, leather upholstery still signifies the ultimate decadence. But following the footprint of economical cars like the Honda Civic and the Nissan Sentra, top luxury automakers are also taking responsible measures by optioning leather upholstery, or in some cases, completely altering the interiors with animal-free alternatives.

Current Initiatives

The automaker companies have been offering synthetic leather for years as an inexpensive substitute to the real material but now they’ve gone one step further, offering it as the sustainable choice. In 2017, prodded by PETA (People for Ethnic Treatments of Animals), Tesla ditched the leather upholstery in their cars, with other EV makers following suit. While the GMC Hummer EV SUV and pickup are coming with synthetic skin interiors, the new Rivian R1T has launched the model with exclusive ‘vegan leather’ upholstery. The C40 Recharge of Volvo is already leather-free, and according to the company, by 2030, the entire electric line-up of Volvo will be leather-less as well.

Synthetic Leather

So, what is this synthetic leather? Most vegan or animal-free automotive textiles are made of plastics. Traditionally, vinyl or polyvinyl chloride, which is made from petroleum oil, has been the popular alternative for leather. The latest versions of faux leathers claim a sort of eco-friendly prospect, by being made from different sorts of natural materials, like pineapple plant leaves, apple peels, mushroom roots, etc. Still, these alternative leathers are yet to appear in production car interiors.

The Mazda Version

According to Mazda, their MX-30 EV features Premium Vintage Leatherette, made with minimal organic solvents. Lexus claims in their reports that the latest NuLuxe model uses no animal-sourced compounds in its interiors, producing 65% fewer carbon emissions than real leather. Recently, the senior design manager for the material and color of Volvo, Rekha Meena, also stated that the brand’s signature ‘Microtech’ vinyl is crafted without any harmful plasticizer.