Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion 1947 prices

Can anyone tell me what the price of a gallon of gas was in 1947?

Nucklehead welcome to Old Gas. I think it was in the high 30s like 38 cents or so.

Thanks gasoildude....I'm putting a dispaly together for a 1947 motorcycle and I was wondering what the price for a gallon was back then. $.30 cent sounds high to me...If memory serves me, I can remember buying gas for the lawn mower for $.27 cent a gallon, that would have been about '72.

Before my time, but 19-23 cents might be closer.
Rex or Jack should know, they're almost
OLDER THAN DIRT !! [or PIE] LOL
DB

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WTB
36B TOPS & VISI GUAGES

Thanks DB...that sounds about right...I'm trying to find out for sure''' I'm putting a little history lesson in the dispaly....In 1947 the minimum wage was $.40 cent an hour....a new car was $1500.....a home $13,000.... agallon of gas? Maybe if someone has some type of reference book or such....or a real good memory...

Try your local libary, for microfilm of 1947 newspapers. Try your local newspaper, see if they have old papers on microfilm. Ask a few OLD TYMERS around where you live, if they remember.
DB

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WTB
36B TOPS & VISI GUAGES

The earliest info I have is March, 1949. If I knew what part of the country you lived in, I would be able to tell you a more exact price, but the average was about .26 for regular and .29 for premium.
Jack Sim

I live in central Va. Jack...but a national average would be great....I've been all over the federal stats page and they give the price for a barrel of crude but not a gallon at the pump......I wonder what the dirt road to paved road ratio was and if any records were kept of that?

The list I have is dated March 1, 1949. The list has about 30 cities on it with their prices. Here is what it has for Richmond, VA.:
Ethyl - 29
Reg. - 27
Dealers Margin - 5.95
Total Taxes - 7.5
Market was listed as Stable at normal level.
All prices are in cents.
Jack Sim

Hey Nuck-If you're still around why don't ya post a pic of you're bike and display in "showcase"! I know I'd like to check it out. Jim

Hi,

Here's prices from a chart for Milwaukee, Wi. at Wadhams / Mobil stations on 3-13-47.

Metro brand
15.8 cents
4.0 State Tax
1.5 Federal Tax
21.3 Total

Mobilgas
17.7 cents
same taxes as above
23.2 Total

Mobilgas Special
19.7
same taxes
25.2

The chart I have lists the total cost by gallon in 3 columns from 1 gal to 20.
20 gallons of Mobilgas Special would cost you $5.04

If you would like a picture of the chart, let me know.

[This message has been edited by wads (edited 02-26-2006).]

Thanks WADS, and thanks to everyone for all your help. Jim T., I tried to post a link to the picture of the bike. I think it will work. Thanks again everyone!

Here is the bike for ya.

Thanks GASOILDUDE!

She's a beut!