A petrol sipping Austin in Brisbane (UPDATE: est. 35 mpg ! )

A few weeks ago we asked you to send in your memories  about fuel consumption tests in the past. Reg Harris from Australia did send this report. It may be a good thing in this super green era to set up something similar and show how efficient some of these old cars can be. Maybe even close to one of those modern German Diesels...

UPDATE: we asked Reg what his fuel consumption was back then, he came back with: "Unfortunately i didn’t keep a lot of paperwork when we downsized houses 2 years ago. From memory I think that on one occasion the Austin got about 35 mpg (edit. which is about 14,5 kilometer to the liter; not bad Reg!!).
Not great but on most runs i was involved in the organising and so did the run on a “last to leave, first back basis.”

"During the 1970’s and early 80’s, The Brisbane Vintage Auto Club  (Queensland, Australia) conducted several “Petrol Consumption Runs” as part of their program for events open to other Clubs. It was common to attract probably around 60 or so entrants. What a day that was for the organisers! Having to arrange with a service station to take over one lane and pump at the start and finish of the day.

The procedure was – fill the tank, bringing the fuel up the filler pipe to a position where the distance from the top could be recorded or the breather pipe overflowed. Since all cars were pre 1942 models, this was possible. Then followed a run of 100 – 120 miles followed with a return to the same pump for a refill to the same recorded level. The run included a stop at a public weighbridge to weigh the vehicle with driver and passengers for a gross weight as rallied.

Then came the mathematicians’ job - no personal computers and online calculators in those days. Cars were weighed in tonnes and fuel measured in litres but, in keeping with the era of the cars, results were calculated as miles/gallon and ton-miles/gallon.

There were some spectacular results. There was much coasting and “eggshell” throttle pressure by the really keen contestants for the outright MPG and T/MPG prizes. Trophies were awarded for various engine capacity categories for both MPG and T/MPG. One member consistently took out the trophy for the overall T/MPG in his 1934 Ford V8 sedan by loading with four people, picnic gear and all available space taken with old batteries.

I usually entered in my 1940 Austin 10 sedan and although I never took out a prize Pam & I had a lot of fun. I include a photo of my car and the Rally Plaques given on the day."

(Words and pictures: Reg Harris)

During the 1970’s and early 80’s, The Brisbane Vintage Auto Club  (Queensland, Australia) conducted several “Petrol Consumption Runs” as part of their program for events open to other Clubs. It was common to attract probably around 60 or so entrants. What a day that was for the organisers! Having to arrange with a service station to take over one lane and pump at the start and finish of the day.

The procedure was – fill the tank, bringing the fuel up the filler pipe to a position where the distance from the top could be recorded or the breather pipe overflowed. Since all cars were pre 1942 models, this was possible. Then followed a run of 100 – 120 miles followed with a return to the same pump for a refill to the same recorded level. The run included a stop at a public weighbridge to weigh the vehicle with driver and passengers for a gross weight as rallied.

Then came the mathematicians’ job - no personal computers in those days. Cars were weighed in tonnes and fuel measured in litres but, in keeping with the era of the cars, results were calculated as miles/gallon and ton-miles/gallon.

There were some spectacular results. There was much coasting and “eggshell” throttle pressure by the really keen contestants for the outright MPG and T/MPG prizes. Trophies were awarded for various engine capacity categories for both MPG and T/MPG. One member consistently took out the trophy for the overall T/MPG in his 1934 Ford V8 sedan by loading with four people, picnic gear and all available space taken with old batteries.

I usually entered in my 1940 Austin 10 sedan and although I never took out a prize Pam & I had a lot of fun. I include a photo of my car and the Rally Plaques given on the day.

Reg Harris

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