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With the gas prices being what they are today, has that made a difference in how often and/or how far you drive your classic?
For me, it makes no difference. As long as the weather will permit I drive mine every chance I get...gas prices be damned (within reason) running 93 octane all the way.
This may have been a better question to pose a while back. After being around $3.20/gal for regular for months, the prices are now about $2.85/gal for regular, and will likely continue to trend downward for a while according to the people in the know.
I'm not like most people that make a trip on a whim, I tend to think about each trip prior to making it and how I can best combine all trips to keep my mileage down on the drivers. Boat and SeaDoo are down for the winter so that cost is currently capped.
The W30 can't seem to pass a gas pump without needing to stop while my other classic is more frugal, that is, if I operate the dual quads tenderly.
Gasoline can be a big part of anyone's budget, but with good management some thrift can be realized. At this time, I suspect a family is more concerned with their food bill than their gas bill. I've never understood for many years now how a family with a low to moderate budget keeps their head above water.
good perspective on this Joe - If your were to go back even further in time to the 1960s you will see that the gas prices were not that "cheap" relative to the cost of living back then
I work 2 blocks from home I drive a 2012 suburban. I fill it up once a week with 45 bucks. I usually burn most of it on weekends or weekday errands. When people wanna talk about the cost of driving their classic cars. My usual is " you ever race ". I started to run sportsman at my local track. About 100 miles round trip. Between fuel for the car fuel for the suburban ( tow vehicle) and entry fee to race its a total of about 150 . Not too bad. I have to do this 2 times a month may - oct. To keep points up. It can't be as bad as gas prices where in the fall of 2007 or 2008 I wanna say. I had a diesel ram was 18 and had to pay almost 6 bucks a gallon for fuel making 9.50 an hour and driving to work 45 minutes each way . It hasn't ever been that bad again. People wanna complain but it could be much much worse. Lots of politics involved which I can care less about. I used to commute 500 + miles a week for work for 3 years. Plus tolls . Yeah when I hear people complain I gotta chuckle.
Dave - Of course your question pertains to USA. Relative to the remainder of the planet, petroleum products in the USA are extremely inexpensive. Most families own two cars, drive to/from work with one person in the car and never ride a bicycle or use public transportation. A matter of perspective. Nearly the opposite for the remainder of the planet (for those who can afford a motor vehicle). We are the “chosen few”.
No. When fuel, food, cost of living and other prices rise people who have money just pay the extra because they can afford it; it's the poor that it hurts the most.
One thing that is probably not accounted for is the increase in taxes over the years. It would be interesting to see the actual cost of just gasoline.
Joe I see the header on the charts says January 1978 to May 2021 but the graph only goes to January 2020. Certainly there has been a lot of fluctuation in 2021.
When talking gas prices for your older cars, most are using 93 octane. In NE Ohio, 93 octane is $3.50 to $4.00.
Most people anymore only take their cars to the ice cream stand, occasional car show, short drives. If one is planning on building an engine it might be a good time to build a low compression engine. Saving a dollar per gallon and not worrying about pinging would probably lead to more driving of one's car.
Most people anymore only take their cars to the ice cream stand,
And that's the problem right there. The worst thing you can do to these cars is to NOT drive them. To steal the line from American Graffiti, "what a waste of machinery".
I understand that but state taxes have. That is a very interesting graph above of gasoline taxes. It makes it easy to see why gas is so expensive in California.
When I went to the Goodguy,last month, paid $5.25 per gal, and in Cal the highest octane is 91, hate to see what they would want for 93 if it was available?
When I went to the Goodguy,last month, paid $5.25 per gal, and in Cal the highest octane is 91, hate to see what they would want for 93 if it was available?
The difference in gas tax from CA to AK is only $0.35 a gallon. You'll have to ask the oil companies where the other two dollars a gallon difference in price came from.
And that's the problem right there. The worst thing you can do to these cars is to NOT drive them. To steal the line from American Graffiti, "what a waste of machinery".
^^^×2...I try to drive mine at least once a week, even if it's just back and forth to work.
Not really, we go where we want to, when we have time. I am building my Olds for future horrible gas prices. I can see European levels here soon due to inflation and carbon tax increasing every year. I went smaller ci that could still meet my goals, around 400 hp, regular 87 gas capable going with ultra modern Mahle 1mm pistons and the latest chamber Edelbrock heads around 9.5 to 1 and a mild roller cam with a wideband tuned Qjet. I am even adding high flow cats to pass emissions if necessary. Add in a 2004R overdrive with mild 3.42 gears, 20+ mpg highway should be very possible. Premium here is $1.20 per US gallon over regular and the spread keeps getting larger. Being non Ethanol, I can see the carbon tax being higher or it eventually getting Ethanol. Government are going to make fuel ridiculously inflated to push EV's in the next few years.
Last edited by olds 307 and 403; Dec 11, 2021 at 09:40 AM.
The price of 93 octane makes me glad the 75 Hurst I bought two months ago burns 87 octane. Granted it has a smog motor in it but the lower price of gas is part of the enjoyment of the car. Based on the mileage it gets it likes 87 octane a lot.
My 4-4-2 isn't back on the road yet from the long mechanical resto under way; but it's getting close! I'll have to get premium at one of the boutique stations. Without going to a boutique station, 91 octane is the highest you can get "everywhere" in the Colorado Front Range. I just filled my truck tank this AM. $79 for 22.22 gallons at Kroger/King Soopers ~$3.55/gallon..
Federal gas taxes haven't gone up in 28 years. That's a whole different problem.
A much larger problem is the cost of policy and regulations, in fuel, cars and pretty much everything.
My gasoline expenses are not substantial, but energy prices affect the price of everything we consume, and there lies one of the problems. That we are following the monetary policy of the Weimar Republic is a much bigger problem.
At this stage in my life it makes no difference to me either. It costs what it costs to run these older vehicles. I am fortunate that here in Canada I can get 93 octane - with no ethanol and that is what I run. Now that having been said this fuel currently costs $1.76 per litre (3.78litres per US gallon) = $6.65 per gallon Canadian or $5.22 US per gallon. So I rather look with envy at US prices!
I drive both of mine as often as possible. And in Florida…thats a lot.
Took the ‘65 out for a 55 mile cruise this morning and the ‘70 out last night for about 15-20 miles.
At $3.95 a gallon for premium that’s
-14mpg for the ‘65 - $16.71
-7mpg for the ‘70. - $9.59
Thats FAR LESS than the cost of a good shrink.
And if $26.30 keeps me from going postal on my staff, family and friends…I’m all in.
-Peter
I’m glad Joe posted that chart on gas prices adjusted for inflation. People have a distorted view of reality.
I’ll never understand people who complain about the cost of fuel, but have no problem pissing away 7 bucks on their Starbucks coffee, pack of smokes, whatever.
I drive my car as often as possible. I consider it cheap therapy.
Last edited by matt69olds; Dec 12, 2021 at 08:59 PM.
I’m glad Joe posted that chart on gas prices adjusted for inflation. People have a distorted view of reality.
I’ll never understand people who complain about the cost of fuel, but have no problem pisdongvaway 7 bucks on their Starbucks coffee, pack of smokes, whatever.
I drive my car as often as possible. I consider it cheap therapy.
Amen to all of your points. Starchumps is probably ten bucks. Smokes probably the same. I have no idea. I have never smoked.
I just drive. I have to care for my Dad. I will drive out there anytime no matter the cost of fuel. Price of gas is a whatever. My Lexus is 22 years old. 250k on it. It gets mid twenties for gas mileage. Money is money. It comes. It goes.
Last edited by no1oldsfan; Dec 11, 2021 at 06:24 PM.
I’m glad Joe posted that chart on gas prices adjusted for inflation. People have a distorted view of reality.
I’ll never understand people who complain about the cost of fuel, but have no problem pissing away 7 bucks on their Starbucks coffee, pack of smokes, whatever.
I drive my car as often as possible. I consider it cheap therapy.
+1 Try to drive and have fun with the cars . Have quit drinking , snuff and smoking who cost a lot of money.
Health is better and more money to gas if wanted. I saw at the news that we have one of the highest gas/diesel
prices in the world. Look with envy on gas price in US , if we had these pricing here i probaly run big block all the
time
I live in a very rural place (my choice), it's a 50-mile round trip to a Starbucks, so I usually drive something that gets some kind of mileage and make my own coffee. When I traveled a lot (vacations), it was typically in the Old's, and it gets lousy gas mileage, but on a trip it's not the time to be frugal, but you are there just make memories for later. Besides on a 3000-mile trip you are on like being at a car show every day and you are the only center of attraction. Just bite the bullet and drive...Tedd
Interesting question,
I try to drive my 56 on a weekly basis, I didn't buy it to look pretty in the garage, I use it for errands, that being said they are mostly short errands to the grocery store, home improvement store, hardware store and occasionally the Saturday night cruise in, I am fortunate that I am centrally located to all these establishments .Last week I used it to pick up my wifes Jeep from the dealer (big hit on the service drive)
I do run premium fuel in it which is now $4.29 per gallon. Since most my destinations are local it hasn't hurt to much BUT it sure is sad to see a gallon of gas reach that much.
Hard to believe its mid-December and we haven't had enough frozen precipitation yet to bring out the salt truck squad. I drove my '68 to work today, even burnt some rubber just now on my lunch run.
Solly have you tried mid grade in your 56. My 54 does not like 87 octane but no ping on mid grade 89 octane. Pretty big price difference. My 75 Hurst Olds I bought is happy on 87 octane and believe me it has a thirst for it. Hope all is well with you and you have a great holiday season.
Your not the only one who does that. I know most people around my area store their cars for the winter in caves because they don't have room in the garage.
