When I was in high school, my Dad bought me a 1959 6 cylinder Chevy Biscayne with 7,000 original miles that had belonged to the widow of one of his good friends to appease the insurance gods for me, and also because "everybody" bragged about the fuel economy of the 6 cylinder Chevy.
After a month (I kept good records) found I was averaging 12.3 MPG. Mentioned this to my Dad, who immediately suggested that I was "hot rodding" my driving. I suggested he drive it for a while. We swapped rides for a month, and he was able to average 12.5 MPG (so much for the myth of the 20 MPG 6 cylinder Chevy!!!).
Two vehicles later (old enough the insurance tyrants were somewhat more lenient), a 327/340 with 4:11 gears Corvette averaged 17 MPG.
Gasoline at the time was 18.9 regular and 20.9 premium at the "name brand" station; 14.9 regular and 16.9 premium at the "watered down" station. For you younger readers, these figures are cents per gallon.
Jon.
