When gas was cheap
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,231
Likes: 115
From: Yelm Wa
When gas was cheap
Ah, the good old days when gas was cheap.
I recently paid $1.99 a gallon for gas.
Out of curiosity I wondered how that related to when I first started driving (1971).
If my memory is correct it seems gas was going for around $.35 a gallon in '71.
Using an inflation calculator, $.35 in 1971 is equivalent to $2.05 in 2014.
Doubt gas will stay this cheap, so enjoy it while you can.
Road trip?
I recently paid $1.99 a gallon for gas.
Out of curiosity I wondered how that related to when I first started driving (1971).
If my memory is correct it seems gas was going for around $.35 a gallon in '71.
Using an inflation calculator, $.35 in 1971 is equivalent to $2.05 in 2014.
Doubt gas will stay this cheap, so enjoy it while you can.
Road trip?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 2,390
Likes: 315
From: Belmont Michigan
I started driving on my learner's permit in 1970. You're right, gas was usually 32-35 cents a gallon. There was a local gas war at one point at the end of that summer when we filled up at $.25.9 per gallon. Cheapest I ever saw since driving. Try and see what you can buy for that 25 cents in the gas station's store nowadays. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
Midshark is correct. In 1971 a local Hess station was charging 25.9. Then the gas crunch and long lines hit. I had a cute Italian girl working for me then, and I'd send her out to get gas and she always returned with a full tank. Don't know how she did it, and I don't want to ask!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,170
Likes: 4,246
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi t,
When I started driving in high school, (61-62), my 'budget' for gas $2.00 per week.
This meant that sometimes I'd have to ride my bicycle to get to my after-school job if I'd driven too much the previous weekend. I always got gas Saturday afternoon after getting paid.
I think the $2.00 usually bought around 7 gallons.
Regards,
Alan
When I started driving in high school, (61-62), my 'budget' for gas $2.00 per week.
This meant that sometimes I'd have to ride my bicycle to get to my after-school job if I'd driven too much the previous weekend. I always got gas Saturday afternoon after getting paid.
I think the $2.00 usually bought around 7 gallons.
Regards,
Alan
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 983
Likes: 35
From: Redding California
Prices rising as we speak. With the Saudi King dying yesterday, the price of oil is shooting up again. News talk speculating it will only be temporary, but I'm with you all... let's appreciate the prices while they're low.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,117
Likes: 104
From: charlotte north carolina
13611 is correct. The US government is probably pushing (bribing) the Saudi's to pump lots of oil and reduce prices to put the hurts on Putin for his interference in the Ukraine.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
I remember when going out on a date for the whole night I would stop and put $1.00 worth of gas in my 1956 Ford Sunliner convertible . In those days the cars cost more for the oil that they used than the gas.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 21
From: Charleston SC
Traveling thru Texas in mid '60s, 15 cent gas was common during "gas wars". Usual price thruout most of the country was 32-35 per gallon. Mid '70s gas had risen to over a dollar and a lot of stations would show on the pump half price (less than a dollar) because the pump couldn't register over 99 cents per gallon. Then double the final price. A local station was advertising somewhere around 40 cents, but that was per liter. Putting the final price at nearly $2 per gallon. People actually thought they were getting a good deal. Have a great weekend, Bill
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,647
Likes: 695
From: Danville Illinois
2025 Corvette of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Winner - Modified
2021 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2019 C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
Lived across the street from a Ryan gas station, i remember 24 cents, smokes where 25 cents.
I am guessing 1965/66
I am guessing 1965/66
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 5,814
Likes: 414
From: Pittsburgh suburbs Pa.
