[Kenny Bunk]

Reggie, diesel in them days was not the super-refined sulfur- nicotine- and cholesterol-free fuel demanded by the green butthole bureaucraps of today. Basically, in the olden days they pumped it outa the ground, ran it through a couple of dirty shirts to catch the larger lumps, and then you put it in your oil burner to heat your house, or in your Peugeot to drive somewhere.

Cold day, and your start could look like a tire dump fire. But it was cheap, especially if you could buy 1000 gals at a time and weren't super-patriotic about road taxes and knew a little about dyes.

[Regulator]

diesel in them days was not the super-refined sulfur- nicotine- and cholesterol-free fuel demanded by the green butthole bureaucraps of today

That's true, but you and I both know that even with new rules on content, it still doesn't account for the price increase!

But it was cheap, especially if you could buy 1000 gals at a time and weren't super-patriotic about road taxes and knew a little about dyes

Hmmm....sounds like somebody here was an independent adept at running the weigh stations....

I had a Mercedes 220D back then. Glow plug starter. Sold it to some guy in Newport Beach who had an offshore diving bell company. Right after I sold it, the prices went up! (sold in March of '79). But he kept it, ran for I don't know how long.

And you're right, on a cold morning it belched blackness.