[Luis Gonzalez]

Figure out what the median wage in 1960 was, then what a gallon of gas cost back then.

Do the same for 2004.

Buy ten gallons of gas each year.

Figure out what percentage of your weekly salary ten gallons of gas represented then versus now.

Gas was higher in 1960.

Now factor in the average MPG for both 1960 and 2004.

Hands down, we get a better bang for our buck now.

[lewislynn]

Gas was higher in 1960.

In 1960 you went to "the service station".

You didn't have to get out of your car. You got ALL your windows washed, your oil, water, windshield washer fluid and the air in your tires checked. The attendant (sometimes more than one) took your money then brought you the change while you pointed to the spots on the windows he missed....for about $0.25 cents (when there wasn't a gas war) as I recall.

[lewislynn]

Gas was higher in 1960.

Someone earning minimum wage in 1960 ($1.00 an hr) paid 25% of an hours pay for a gallon of gas (plus they got full serve).

Someone today earning minimum wage ($5.15 an hr) pays 33%+ of an hours pay for a gallon of gas and NO service.

I used minimum wage because it's the only wage factor available to me.