Elle wrote:

> "mjc13<REMOVETHIS> @verizon.net>" <"mjc13<REMOVETHIS> Elle
> wrote:
>
>>>"Grumpy AuContraire" <Grumpy@ExtraGrumpyville.com> wrote
>>>
>>>>My 1955 President, a hefty 4,200 lb sedan with 259
>>>>V8/DG-250 tranny achieved 21/28 mpg in real time road
>>>>tests in that era.
>>>
>>>
>>>They did MPG tests back then? What is the history of fuel
>>>economy becoming important to car manufacturers?
>>>
>>>Elle
>>>Who pumped gasoline as a summer job when it was 59 cents
>>>a gallon.
>>
>> There were a few small models with small engines that
>>were designed to be thrifty for just about as long as cars
>>were built. It would be hard to answer your question
>>definitively, because it would depend on how you defined
>>it. Volkswagen used to boast about the 25 MPG Beetle
>>(although the heavier, faster, more robust Volvo Amazon
>>would also average 25). Models like the Nash Rambler
>>(introduced in 1950) and Plymouth Valiant were designed
>>with fuel economy as a significant factor. I'm sure that
>>whenever there was a Depression or Recession, or gas
>>rationing, fuel economy was used as a selling point...
>
>
> I imagine you are right, re the Depression etc. Maybe it's
> not as obvious to historians because advertising back then
> was not quite as developed as an industry. Nor were cars as
> abundant, per capita. But surely a Depression-era salesman
> used this as a selling point to the appropriate consumer
> sector (those on a budget).
>
> Wiki does indeed report fuel efficiency was a considered
> factor for Volkswagen's, starting as early as the 1930s, and
> possibly under orders from Hitler.
>
> Another, lesser wrench to throw into this discussion, one of
> which no doubt JT, you and others are aware: I see some
> (fancier?) current car models give the driver some manual
> control over when lockup engages.
>
>

My "new" Civic is a '95. I don't imagine I'll ever own a car built
in this century.