How bad was the oil embargo?

[Loobed]

In California the gas stations opened at 6am in the morning to pump gas. They would only be open 2 hours than close. You could only get gas every other day. I don't think the OPEC embargo was the main cause. I think there were other reasons. Mexico had oil, we had oil, Alaska had oil, and South America had oil. It just wasn't being taken out of the ground and made into gasoline.


I think engine oil is a byproduct of making gasoline: ironically gasoline started out being a byproduct of making oil or tar to coat wooden ships. I don't think there was ever a shortage of engine oil.

 

[Al]

Originally Posted By: Loobed
. I don't think the OPEC embargo was the main cause. I think there were other reasons.

The problem is that the U.S. put price controls whereby newly discovered oil could command a higher price but "old" oil had to be sold at well below world market values.

Thats why there were indeed lots and lots of tankers that would not unload their oil.

Another Government policy running Amuck.

 

[Propflux01]

Originally Posted By: addyguy

...We had neighbours two doors down in the early 1980's, the 'wife's car' was a mid-70's Buick Century wagon. Great big thing. The husband's 'work car' was a 1979/80 Pontiac Sunbird 4-cylinder/5-speed....I used to watch him trying to get it going, and wonder he never drove the Century


OK, lets see... Large, loopy Carol Brady-mobile, or cool hot looking (supposedly) "sports car". Which one would any middle aged guy want to be seen in?

 

[Schmoe]

I was in Germany at the time, around 9-10 years old. I distinctly remember "no drive Sundays." I mean, no cars on the road PERIOD. My Dad had a 69 or 70 Buick Lesabre with the big block engine and sucked gas. He would buy gas ration coupons from soldiers that didn't have a vehicle or had left over rations. I don't remember lines in Germany but I remember Dad sitting in the driver's seat signing books of ration cards to get gas as it was already expensive in Germany even prior to the embargo. I also remember him paying rent to the landlord with bottles of Jim Beam, then he helped him drink it!!! It was hilarious...the land lord trying to speak english and my dad trying to speak german. Good times.

 

[edhackett]

I got my driver's license in 1972. Living in northern Nevada, we saw no lines or shortages, just the increased prices.

The biggest shock was going from no speed limit to 55 mph. Sigh, gone are the days of passing the Highway Patrol at 95 and having him wave as you went by.

Ed

 

[Kestas]

Originally Posted By: jcwit
Thats because of the advertizing by the auto mfg. telling us how great the big SUV is, and every winter what do you see in the snow bank or ditch? An SUV or P/U truck. People as a whole are followers, don't believe me, check out what the tobaco companies were able to accompolish a number of years ago.

You can't be serious. I also see commercials where women are fawning over men who pick a certain beer.

How do you explain all the Zima commercials?

Just another case of "Not my fault, they made me do it"

 

[Papa Bear]

How bad was the oil embargo?

I'll let you know when it ends .....