A dumb question about buying cars in the 60's

[dcbullet]

I'm only 33, so forgive my ignorance on this manner.

So I'm always reading in magazine and the web about cars the were "ordered" with such and such package and options. Did these mean that you got a form and actually checked the boxes and then how long after did your car come.

Secondly, if that is the case did everyone buy their car that way or just people buying muscle cars and F-250 Camper Specials?

I've only purchased 2 cars new and, of course, I just bought one on the lot.

Third, when did it change and why?

Thanks in advance old timers!

[dcbullet]

Very interesting.

When you ordered a vehicle, was there haggling over the price or did you just pay sticker plus your option costs?

[FORDification]

And nothing has reallly changed, in that regard. You can still go to your local dealership and place a special order for a vehicle, by checking off the options on the order form that you want. But since a majority of cars these days come standard as highly-optioned vehicles, where you already get a lot of items standard that used to be optional, I'd have to guess that special-order cars aren't quite as common as they used to be.

[cobraF100]

You can still Buy and Car or truck this way.

My Family works for Chrysler so I'm able to get the Family Deal Plan,when you use this the Car/Truck you get come straight from the Factory with and how you order it..
Like our Car is a Chrysler Concord but it has the M-300 Drive Train in it,My Wife didn't like the way the M-300 looked but did the Concord so we got that Body Style but upgraded the drive Train.
Also I got my Jeep Cherokee as a Special Order.

It does Cost more most of the time but you get what you want on it...

[Nefarious67]

Like everyone says you can still do it but it is not as common anymore. I ordered my Chevrolet Colorado, the dealers did not keep any trucks with the I5 engine and 5 speed manual transmissions on the lot. It was a combination people don't want. Of corse I had to have the manual and the biggest engine avaible so I had to order it and wait. And wait I did as it took about 2 months. If your ordering a vechile it usually doesnt take long to fill out the papers as you have your mind made up already. You can still haggle too with prices when you order, I know I did.

[dcbullet]

Great info guys. Thanks!

Actually I think it would be pretty cool to go in and order a vehicle. I know I bought a car that had some things I wanted be others that I didn't want.