I recall that my father owned a Chrysler K car in the early 1980's which got 50+ mpg.?

Question

Weren't there several cars in the 1980's that got over 50 miles per gallon? Why can't they do this today?

Answer 1

You must have dreamed it. The K cars had great engines but the rest of the car was junk. They got roughly 25 mpg on the highway.

Answer 2

No auto maker in the 80s Ever produced a car that got 50 mile to the gallon. even the Diesel cars. they where close but not that close. the Geo metros received 40 to the gallon with a whopping 65 Hp Engine. but thats still 10 mile per gallon shy of 50. I think of Pappy was feeding you a line about the K cars. I know I owned a few and none ever got 50. even with fresh engines.

Answer 3

Emissions regulations is part of it. In the 80's, cars ran dirtier exhaust. I had a VW Diesel Rabbit that got right at 60 mpg (manual transmission with the wind blowing the right way). Not much more info I can give you, but there were rumors in the 70's of an LTD that got over 50 mpg, but those were prototype cars with special carbs. Probably just urban myth though.

Answer 4

Grandpa was telling you a tall tale. The little K-cars from Chrysler were efficient little boxes, but they didn't get 50 MPG or anywhere near to it. They did about 30MPG, similar to other cars of the same size of today.