When You Could Buy A Car For $29: A Fascinating Look At Vintage Used Car Lots

In the early 20th century, used car lots were bustling hubs of activity, offering affordable transportation to a growing number of Americans. 

As the automotive industry exploded in the 1920s and ’30s, more people traded in their vehicles for newer models, fueling the secondhand car market. Remarkably, it wasn’t unusual to find cars priced as low as $29. 

These lots became iconic symbols of America’s developing love affair with the automobile, with brands like Chevrolet leading the way in promoting their “OK Used Cars” program. Let’s explore the history and some fascinating photos of vintage used car lots.

Overview Of Used Car Lots

By the 1910s, used car sales had become essential to the automotive industry. Dealers quickly realized that trade-ins were key to encouraging new car sales. Initially, many were hesitant to accept trade-ins, seeing them as potential liabilities. 

But as the industry expanded, used cars became a booming business, especially during the 1920s. In fact, by 1927, more used cars were sold than new ones—a trend that continued well into the 20th century.

Brands like Chevrolet capitalized on this opportunity, introducing the “OK Used Cars” program in the 1920s, which promised buyers that their vehicles had undergone inspections and were in good working order. This added a layer of trust to the used car buying experience, encouraging more consumers to purchase secondhand cars. 

These lots were often filled with a range of models, from previously high-end vehicles to affordable runabouts, all displayed in neat rows with large price banners, attracting customers from all walks of life.

Fascinating Vintage Photos Of Used Car Lots

1. OK Used Cars ad illustration

2. An OK Used Cars Lot

3. Luger Auto Sales showcasing a lineup of classic cars for sale

4. A vintage used car lot with classic cars priced from $995 to $1495

5. Three men standing in front of Knapp Chevrolet’s “OK Used Cars” lot

6. Yenko Chevrolet showcasing a lineup of trucks and cars, promoting their “Trade Parade of Values” event

7. DuPont Motors Used Cars featuring a couple posing in front of classic cars for sale

8. A Studebaker dealership showcasing the iconic Studebaker automobiles

9. Gold Brand Motors showcasing a variety of classic cars on display at a used car lot

10. Two men relaxing outside a used car dealership

11. A mid-20th-century used car lot showcasing a wide variety of classic vehicles

12. A bustling used car dealership from the 1930s, with banners advertising “Small Down Payments” and “Authorized Dealers”

13. A classic used car lot filled with mid-century American automobiles

14. A vintage used car lot operated by Mills Motor Co.

15. A used car lot from the 1930s, where bargain deals range from $29 to $189

16. The Terry Auto Sales lot at 519 Lincoln Way E, 1955

17. The A.E. Tourssen Motor Co. used car lot

18. OK Used Cars magazine ad

 

19. OK Used Cars ad illustration

 

20. 1953 OK Used Cars magazine ad