24.6 in 1981 (the year cited in the article), and 24.6 in 2004. The peak of 26.2 occurred in 1987.
I'm fine with "alleged," thanks just the same. ;o)
Alright I'll redo my numbers for 1981. But 1981 was a particulary high year for gas prices with respect to wages. Gasoline averaged $1.378 while wages were $7.43 taking 11.1 minutes to earn a gallon of gasoline.