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We’ve all seen gas prices fluctuate from less than a dollar to close to $5 a gallon, but it’s hard to imagine gas prices soaring sky high without enough to supply everyone’s needs. However, that’s exactly what happened in 1973 when the oil crisis hit. Recently, we came across several images from that time on Autoholics.com and we must say, our recent run in with high gas prices is nothing compared to 1973.
The oil crisis hit the United States in October of 1973. After the U.S. decided to re-supply the Israeli military involved in the Yom Kippur War, the Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries, or OAPEC responded by proclaiming an oil embargo against the U.S.
On October 19, 1973, OAPEC raised the price of oil to $5.11 a barrel for all of America’s allies, a 70 percent increase. Countries in OAPEC also agreed to cut production of oil by five percent every month until their objectives were met- ultimately the aid for Israel to stop.
The embargo resulted in severe oil shortages and extreme price hikes on gasoline within the U.S. Gas prices rose to about $1.20 a gallon from just 30 cents.
Although the average yearly income in 1973 was only $12,900, lines of people snaked around city blocks to get gas because nearly 85 percent of the population drove to work every day and needed the gas to do so. Because of the shortage, gas was harder to come by and resulted in gas being limited to only five or 10 gallons per person.
Ten gallons of gas goes a long way now with better vehicle fuel efficiency and hybrid vehicles, but back then, fuel mileage averaged just 13.4 miles to the gallon. Ten gallons of gas wouldn’t hardly get you 125 miles, and when you’re driving to work everyday, those miles can go fast.
This collection of pictures showcases the struggles that the embargo and resulting price hikes and shortages created. People would wait for hours in long lines just to get a few gallons of fuel, and if the station ran out before you had your turn to fuel up, you were out of luck. Gas was in such high demand that some stations began locking their pumps so people couldn’t try to steal fuel while others limited fill-ups to only regular customers. Luckily, the U.S. and OAPEC came to an agreement and the embargo was lifted in March of 1974, ending the oil crisis.
We’ve all heard that the economy is in a bad state right now, but at least we haven’t had to ration fuel lately. As 2012 gets off to a blistering start, we better count our lucky stars that gas prices are dropping and there is plenty to go around. Things can always be worse.
For more pictures from the 1973 oil crisis, check out Autoholics.com.
