In 1973 my father bought an RT3. I remember a price tag of $1,095 on the handlebars. This was in Tysons Corner, Virginia.

Thanks DT. Appreciate the info. That's about $6,800 in today's dollars. Pretty damn expensive back then.

 Not a RT3 but I have a 1976 DT250C, I am the second owner and have owned it since 1976, my friend originally owned it and I remember he paid $899.00 for it new in 1976, I bought it from him for $650.00 with only 150 miles on it, I still have it and it only has 670 miles on it to this day, he promptly went back to the dealer and bought the 1976 DT400C for $999.00.
Probably each dealer sold them for as much as their local market would pay, doesn’t seem right that a 1973 DT3 would sell new for more than a new 1976 DT400C? The price advertisement below is for a 1975 DT400B

 

If we had only known.  I would have picked up a warehouses full of them.  Crazy how things change.  I have a 73 RT3 with 1100 original miles on it and it shows.  I am thinking of selling it - other interests I'd like to pursue.  Thinking of going on the market for $8500 and see what happens. 

“If we had only known”

Problem back then about buying a warehouse full was that $1000.00 to me was no different than $100,000.00, A $1000.00 seemed like some magical amount of money that really didn’t exist! I too have been thinking of selling my 1976 DT250C, I have owned this bike for 45 years it is bone stock, probably still has the 1976 air in the tires still? I too was thinking at the $8500.00 dollar range, I have enjoyed it long enough and as I get older and start to ponder about the end game, my kids have no interest in my toys and I can just imagine them riding it and dumping it and then selling it for $100.00, or trading it for a Nintendo or Xbox hand controller, I’d rather see it go to someone that would appreciate it as much as I do.

I think the $1,095 price may have included tax and freight. Memory is fading.

Also keep in mind the "price wave" might be cresting currently...  as the population ages, it won't be long before the old bikes in the most demand may be from the 1980's and 1990's... 

Not that these 70's models will become valueless...  but they might be worth more now than they will be in a few years?

Same here as far as kids go..... they could care less and don't quite understand the love affair. I may take Mark's advice and just part ways now before the prices start to drop. I have a couple of 80's honda's that I think I will hang on to for a few more years and see what happens with them. Not a lot of interest out there right now in an 83 XL250R 4,000 original miles.