Fuel Economy an old idea

:typing:

I know this comes as no surprise to our older members, but the idea of good fuel economy has been around for decades. The depression, world war II rations and embargos of the 70's - all brought fuel economy to the minds of the American driver. In fact, the mindest for many in the fifties and early sixties was one of thrift. American Motors, with it's Rambler line of cars, was sort of like the Honda or Toyota of it's day. They were reliable, well built, inexpensive cars that focused on smaller size and fuel economy. This is from the owner's manual of my 1965 Rambler 770 wagon:

CITY DRIVING

The frequent starting and stopping, prolonged idling periods and perhaps a tendency to demonstrate fast accelerating ability all combine to waste gasoline and reduce overall operating economy.

Remember that your engine does considerable work in overcoming inertia when starting and in building up momentum. Use this developed momentum to drive your car - do no dissipate it in unnecessary braking.

Accommodate your driving to established traffic flow and drive at an even speed to coincide with the timing of traffic lights. Avoid street car tracks and chuck holes; turn corners slowly and do not scuff tires against the curb when parking.

AMC, of course, built larger engines and had some very fast cars, but the overall focus that made them competitive with the big three was size and fuel economy. They were building small cars when the big three left that segment to the imports. In fact, the entire Rambler line was "Car of the Year" for 1963. Ramblers won many fuel economy runs in the fifties and sixties. In 1957, a Rambler averaged nearly 34 mpg in a time when gasoline was plentiful and cheap. It was only when AMC started matching the big three head on with size and power in the mid sixties that they really started falling behind. Who knows what could have happened if they had kept to their small and efficient designs until the gas shortages of the seventies arrived!

Anyway... just something interesting I came across today while getting ready for a weekend car show!

... for anyone interested, here's the Rambler wagon:

Marge: 1965 AMC Rambler Classic 770 Cross Country - Indianapolis, Indiana

Patrick