Gas Prices 50 Years Ago, Part 1

I asked some of my Division Avenue High School friends from way back when,  "What was the price per gallon of gasoline when you started driving? If you can remember, what was the year and model of the automobile you first drove?" This goes back about 50 years.

John Tanner, class of 1960

Gas cost $.19 which in 1958 was the same price of a pack of smokes. It seemed my 1947 Plymouth used as much oil as gas. 

David Amster, class of 1963

In 1962 I took my Mom’s 1952 Ford to the station on the corner of Hempstead Turnpike and Jerusalem Avenue, told the guy I was going to drive a long way to Albany to see my girl at college, and asked what should I check on the car.  He did a once over, topped off the tank with 25.9 cents a gallon and I was on my way.  

Recently, I got gas for a mere $3.45 at Costco and felt it was a good deal. 

Walt Linder , class of 1961

I started driving in 1959, when I was 16. On my 16th birthday I was standing at the front door of the Motor Vehicle Bureau in Mineola, when they opened that morning.  I had to walk to the Hicksville LIRR station, and ride the train to Mineola.  I took driver education from Mr. Peyton, and could drive at night when I was 17. 

The gas stations on the corners of Jerusalem Avenue and Hempstead Turnpike had gas for 29 cents a gallon in 1959.  They used to have gas wars, and compete for business.  My folks' 1954 Chevy used to get gas there all the time.  It ('54 Chevy) burned so much oil, I used to buy oil, in bulk, at the Sears store also on the same corner. The oil was on a spigot and came out of the wall.  

Howard Whitten, class of 1962

My first car was a 1956, two-tone blue, Chevy Bel Air, the family 'hand-me-down.'  I recall the price per gallon was 29.9 cents at the time, and it didn't change all that much right into the early 1970s when it was about 35.9 (in New Jersey).  My father always looked for the cheapest gas around and I recall he would usually find it at a small gas station by Meenan Oil on the turnpike down by Island Trees.  

Karen Biro Hewson, class of 1960

I bought my first car when I was 21, so that was about 1963, not positive, but I think the price of gas was about 23.9.  I had a black 1957 Ford Fairlane 500 convertible.  I'd love to have it now - but not in the condition it was in then - it ran only on occasion and in the winter I had to warm it up for about 10 minutes before I went anywhere so it wouldn't stall.  Ah, the good old days.

Check back tomorrow for more memories of gas prices from Levittown residents. As always, make sure to check out Frank Barning's blog at http://theworldaccordingtofrankbarning.blogspot.com.