
1990 Lincoln Continental Mark VII LSC
To everyone who says cars have gotten too expensive, I say phooey. Cars cost about the same now as they have for decades, inflation adjusted.
Our list of 1990’s priciest American cars makes this point rather nicely. If we include the Cadillac Allante and Chevrolet Corvette, the average base price of the twelve cars seen below is about $35,000. But, if we remove the Caddy and the ‘Vette, the average base price drops to around $31,500. Inflation adjusted for 2018 dollars, $31,500 comes to around $61,000–or about $5000 more than the starting price of a 2018 Cadillac CT6.
If you want to talk crazy, the inflation-adjusted price of the Allante is a stunning $115,000—which seems a little steep in retrospect.
As always, if you’ve ever spent quality time with any of the cars on this list, we’d love to hear about it. The place to leave comments is down below the last car.
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Most-Expensive American Cars of 1990
Corvette ZR-1: $59,495

1990 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
Curb Weight (pounds): 3465
Engine: 380-horsepower 5.7-liter V8
Antilock Brakes: Standard
Cadillac Allante: $57,813

1990 Cadillac Allante
Curb Weight (pounds): 3466
Engine: 200-horsepower 4.5-liter V8
Antilock Brakes: Standard
Price for model with removable hardtop. Price includes $650 Gas Guzzler Tax.
Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special: $37,530

1990 Cadillac Fleetwood Sixty Special
Curb Weight (pounds): 3536
Engine: 180-horsepower 4.5-liter V8
Antilock Brakes: Standard
Cadillac Seville STS: $36,320

1990 Cadillac Seville STS
Curb Weight (pounds): 3480
Engine: 180-horsepower 4.5-liter V8
Antilock Brakes: Standard
Buick Reatta Convertible: $35,545

1990 Buick Reatta Convertible
Curb Weight (pounds): 3562
Engine: 165-horsepower 3.8-liter V6
Antilock Brakes: Standard
Chrysler TC by Maserati: $33,550

1990 Chrysler TC by Maserati
Curb Weight (pounds): 3200
Base Engine: 200-horsepower turbocharged 2.2-liter 4-cylinder
Antilock Brakes: Standard
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Lincoln Town Car Cartier: $32,687

1990 Lincoln Town Car (Signature Series shown)
Curb Weight (pounds): 4025
Engine: 150-horsepower 5.0-liter V8
Antilock Brakes: $936
Lincoln Continental Signature Series: $31,731

1990 Lincoln Continental Signature Series
Curb Weight (pounds): 3663
Engine: 140-horsepower 3.8-liter V6
Antilock Brakes: Standard
Lincoln Continental Mark VII LSC: $29,987

1990 Lincoln Continental Mark VII LSC
Curb Weight (pounds): 3779
Engine: 225-horsepower 5.0-liter V8
Antilock Brakes: Standard
Cadillac Eldorado: $29,435

1990 Cadillac Eldorado
Curb Weight (pounds): 3426
Engine: 180-horsepower 4.5-liter V8
Antilock Brakes: $925
Buick Electra Park Avenue Ultra: $28,325

1990 Buick Electra Park Avenue Ultra
Curb Weight: 3288
Engine: 165-horsepower 3.8-liter V6
Antilock Brakes: $925
Cadillac Brougham: $27,900

1990 Cadillac Brougham
Curb Weight: 4283
Base Engine: 140-horsepower 5.0-liter V8
Antilock Brakes: Standard
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Most-Expensive American Cars of 1990
Most-Expensive American Cars of 1990