When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
I grew up in Houston during the early 60's and gas stations at various intersections would have "gas wars", temporarily lowering their price to 19 cents a gallon. On top of that they would pump your gas, wash your windshield, check your oil and tires and then give you some sort of gift, like a steak knife.
I remember exactly the same thing as a teenager here in Sacramento in the mid 60's. Gas wars were pretty common and prices often went below 20 cents per gallon. A good friend of mine and I use to wait until the gas stations closed for the evening (yup, they use to actually close) and ride our 50cc bikes to the station and fill our tanks by draining the gas out of the hoses. Good times !
That’s still a dollar a gallon more than it was a year ago.
Yup, you're absolutely right: December 2021 is exactly the same economic condition as December 2020. If you recall there was so little demand in Spring 2020 that crude was traded for less than $0.00. Consumer demand didn't start to rise until about 6-8 months ago: Econ101.
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-‘19-'20-'21-'22-'23-'24
Originally Posted by jim lockwood
It's my understanding that, in addition to exorbitant fuel taxes, all Kalifornia RFG is supplied by only two refineries. If true, then part of the problem here is good old supply and demand.
Bingo! And those refineries are always under a microscope. As well as maint and emergency shutdowns.
I think the thread has done quite well by not turning into a political slugfest.
I have been having a blast reading everyone's memories of what we remember as cheap gas
and cheap cars.
Well done!
What I also remember from the 70's was long gas lines and gas rationing.
You could only buy gas on odd or even days depending on your license plate number.
I had just moved to California from Texas and wanted to see the sights.
It took careful planning on how to drive any distance to do that.
Took this pic earlier ... local Gas Station just around the corner from home ...
Last edited by roadster65; 12-10-2021 at 03:03 AM.
Here is why California gas costs so much, from KTLA news:
Earlier this year, an analysis by Irvine based researchers Stillwater Associates found Californians were paying at least $1.18 cents per gallon in taxes and fees alone. That number fluctuates by a few cents depending on sales tax calculations, which vary by city.
Here is a full breakdown of the added cost:
Taxes:
Federal Excise Tax: 18 cents per gallon
State Excise Tax: 51 cents per gallon
Sales Tax (estimated): 10 cents per gallon
Fees:
Low Carbon Gas Programs: 22 cents per gallon
Greenhouse Gas Programs: 15 cents per gallon
Underground Tank Storage: 2 cents per gallon
California has the highest gas prices in the nation, according to AAA.
In the Southern California region: the average price per gallon stood at $4.672 in the Los Angeles – Long Beach area, followed by $4.654 in Ventura, $4.635 in Orange County, $4.629 in San Diego, $4.621 in the Santa Barbara area and $4.613 in San Bernardino and $4.591 in Riverside.
Some gas stations KTLA visited in the Los Angeles area had prices over $5 per gallon Monday.
My local price here in Pittsburgh is $3.53.....isn't it funny that crude prices have been dropping for weeks but no corresponding drop in gasoline prices? hummm
California has its own recipe. It changes by the season. One for summer and one for winter. I am not smart enough to explain the difference.
Unlikely, but OK.
Winter fuel has components which begin to vaporize at lower temperatures than does summer fuel. This improves cold weather starting.
The difference, in terms of FI operation, is that fuel percolation can happen to '62 and earlier units with winter fuel at ambient temps in the 60s. With summer fuel, fuel perc is possible when ambient temps get into the 80s.
Last edited by jim lockwood; 12-05-2021 at 07:48 AM.
I was talking to one of the gas attendant's the other day at Costco here in Torrance. Told me to come in after 21:00 at night. They close at 21:30. No line and you can roll right in. They close three aisles down at 21:15 and then the rest at 21:25. I have used Costco once before for the '67' with no issues. Prices for premium was $4.59, that was a few days ago. I think they may have come down a few cents since then. Chevron up the street was over $5.+. Although they are my preferred gas, just to much at this time.
I try not to think too much about gas prices when it comes to my ‘67. I didn’t buy an $80K car to let it sit in the garage because of the price of gasoline.
“Price of gasoline - crazy. Enjoyment driving an old Corvette - priceless.”
My wife has the same attitude about our 7 mpg motor home. She doesn’t want to know anything about what it costs to fill it up, or mpg, or how much our total gasoline cost after a trip. She says we bought the vehicle to have fun and enjoy our retirement so don’t ruin it for me. Just buy the gas and keep it to yourself.
I think the thread has done quite well by not turning into a political slugfest.
I have been having a blast reading everyone's memories of what we remember as cheap gas
and cheap cars.
Well done!
What I also remember from the 70's was long gas lines and gas rationing.
You could only buy gas on odd or even days depending on your license plate number.
I had just moved to California from Texas and wanted to see the sights.
It took careful planning on how to drive any distance to do that.
Back in my construction working days, my boss told me about the gas rationing and how heated it could get waiting in line. He told me one time he had waited in line for quite a while to get to the pump. At one point, the car in front of him moved up a decent bit and before my boss could make the distance, another car swooped in and took the space in line.
My boss was with his wife and she told him to just let it go as he honked the horn several times. He gets out of the car, walks up to their window which they have rolled up and yells, “If you don’t leave this spot and go to the back of the line, I’m taking that front bumper there and I’m putting on your rear bumper and I’ll MAKE you move”
The driver ignored him, so he did exactly what he said he was going to do, his wife scolding him the whole time. After pushing that person’s car sideways, the line skipper hit the gas and tore out of there. When a man looks you in the eyes and walks you step by step through what’s going to happen if you don’t right a wrong, you might want to consider he’ll make good on his words.
Winter fuel has components which begin to vaporize at lower temperatures than does summer fuel. This improves cold weather starting.
The difference, in terms of FI operation, is that fuel percolation can happen to '62 and earlier units with winter fuel at ambient temps in the 60s. With summer fuel, fuel perc is possible when ambient temps get into the 80s.
All gasoline everywhere is seasonal and there are more seasons than just summer and winter. Gasoline isn't the same in winter in Texas as it is in winer in Chicago as well. In the summer the vapor pressure is around 6psi and winter 15psi. Vapor pressure is the gauge pressure of a closed container of gasoline at 100F. Main difference is the amout of butane added. No butane in summer and lots in winter. Gasoline still has to vaporize in your carb/fuel injection intake at the colder temperatures of winter. Worked 32 years as a chemical engineer in an XOM refinery. Another thing to remember is gasoline is a commodity which means one brand is the same as the next.
All gasoline everywhere is seasonal and there are more seasons than just summer and winter. Gasoline isn't the same in winter in Texas as it is in winer in Chicago as well. In the summer the vapor pressure is around 6psi and winter 15psi. Vapor pressure is the gauge pressure of a closed container of gasoline at 100F. Main difference is the amout of butane added. No butane in summer and lots in winter. Gasoline still has to vaporize in your carb/fuel injection intake at the colder temperatures of winter. Worked 32 years as a chemical engineer in an XOM refinery. Another thing to remember is gasoline is a commodity which means one brand is the same as the next.
Here in the People's Republik of Kalifornia, I'm sure the Reid vapor pressure, distillation profile, and overall formulation is standardized from brand to brand. However, a behind-the-scenes tour of the Chevron lab in Richmond, Kalifornia convinced me the additive package varies significantly across brands. And I came away from the tour with a very high regard for the goodness of Chevron motor fuel.
To begin with, I do not want this to evolve into some political rant.
Please no political comments!!!!
This is merely to show what I paid for 10 gallons of premium (91 octane) at my local Shell dealer here in San Diego
I remember back in the early 70's when I was in high school when I could fill up my 10 gallon gas tank for $3.00
Of course I was making $1.60 an hour washing dishes. LOL
Man I can feel your pain. I don't pay much less than that up in the Hi-Desert. We are pushing 5 dollars a gallon for regular.
12-04-2021, 10:28 PM
