$4315 in July 1971. That was not an inexpensive car then. I recall looking at cars with my father in summer of 1971 and we test drove Volvos. The BMW 2002 was also about $4500 and I thought he was about to buy one. Instead, after I left for college, he bought an 8-cyl Buick for $3000 - definitely more tonnage per Dollar.

I think it is sobering to note that the Volvo 142 or 144 did just about everything you need in road transportation. It was comfortable, safe, had decent handling, and could take you and your luggage across country. Today a modern car has fuel injection, air conditioning, and ABS brakes, real improvements. But our average velocity across the road is the same 37 years later.