GCCG coaxes 78mpg from a Mini
Back in the ’70s, ‘economy runs’ were big news, with several oil companies sponsoring events in which journalists competed to eke the most miles from the carefully brimmed tank of a press car. The results would often be used in advertising by the car makers and so it was all a very serious business, with RAC officials sealing the filler caps and drivers employing all kinds of dubious techniques like coasting down hills with the engine off and never mind the lack of brakes.
Which is why we were pleased to hear the GCCG – the group for LGBTQ+ classic car enthusiasts – has revived the idea, albeit in a more lighthearted fashion.
Entrants brimmed their tanks at a specified filling station, then went on a three-hour drive around the Newbury area and tried to avoid causing any hold-ups. “The knack seemed to be to anticipate junctions, hills and other hazards like the many bicycles out for Sunday rides,” said the GCCG’s Darren Mitcham.
The entrants then returned to the same filling station to brim the cars once more, at which point they could calculate the fuel used. Having researched the cars’ official economy figures in advance, the results were fascinating and none more so than the winning [classic] Mini Cooper which turned in an incredible 77.6mpg against its official figure of 43mpg. Hot on its heels was an automatic Metro’s 51mpg, with third place taken by a Citroën GS at 43.6mpg.
From here it was a jump to the 28.31mpg of the fourth-placed Stag, but that’s still a decent showing from the 3-litre V8, as was the 31.8mpg from both the Daimler V8 and Rover 3500S.
