375 MPG, in a car built with heavy, old technology, back in the 1950s...



I've seen this story all over the place lately, but just in case you haven't, I'm posting it here. Shell sponsored a contest in 1973, and this 1959 Opel T-1 was the winner, at 376.59 MPG. How is that possible, you might ask. Consider:

The team that built it stripped the interior of everything but a seat, chopped the top to lower its wind resistance. They narrowed the rear axle, used super-hard low-friction tires and a chain drive to save weight.

The mileage from the mostly stock four-cylinder came from heating and insulating the fuel line so the gas entered the engine as lean vapor. Then they drove the car on a closed course at a steady 30 mph.

So some of that wouldn't work in the street, McMullen concedes. But if the car were made more drivable and lost 200 mpg -- it still would get 176 mpg.

What I like about this story is that it shows that innovation triumphs over closed minds and low expectations. They achieved something 35 years ago, using nearly-antique technology, that today's auto industry says is impossible with modern technology. Think about that. Here's the full story.

---

And while we're on the subject of innovations to improve fuel economy, check out the new FAQ section over at Poulsen Hybrid.