Mercedes Mullins
The 1973 Oil Crisis, caused by an oil embargo imposed by the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Western countries that had supported Israel during the Arab-Israeli Yom Kippur War, led to a scare in the UK that petrol would need to be rationed. Although petrol rationing was ultimately avoided, the British government issued fuel ration books to combat potential shortages. These books, which were never used, contained coupons for a six-month period with vouchers for one, two, or three units with a particular code letter. The value of these ration books, which were issued for different engine sizes and carried different letter codes, is a reflection of the turbulent period of the 1973-1974 miners' strike, the three-day week, and power cuts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Issuing authority | British government |
| Reason | To combat petrol shortages during the 1973 Oil Crisis |
| Oil Crisis cause | OPEC imposed an oil embargo on Western countries supporting Israel during the Arab-Israeli Yom Kippur War |
| Ration book validity | Six months |
| Ration book contents | Coupons for 1, 2, or 3 units with a specific code letter |
| Example car | Citroen with engine size not exceeding 1100 cc (1-9 hp) |
| Example coupon combination | 24 x 'N' units and 12 x 'L' units |
| Coupon unit | One gallon of fuel (could be changed) |
| Coupon distribution criteria | Engine size and horsepower of the vehicle |
| Ration book distribution criteria | Production of car or motorcycle registration book |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The 1973 Oil Crisis
The price of oil skyrocketed, quadrupling from $3 per barrel to nearly $12 per barrel globally, with prices in the United States being significantly higher. This imposed soaring costs on consumers and presented structural challenges to the stability of national economies. The embargo caused an oil crisis or "shock", with many short- and long-term effects on the global economy.
In the UK, the government issued motor fuel ration books to combat petrol shortages. These books were made out for particular motor cars based on engine size and horsepower. For example, a book might be issued for a Citroen car with an engine size not exceeding 1100 cc (1-9 hp). It would contain coupons to the value of 24 x 'N' units and 12 x 'L' units, valid for a six-month period.
Fuel Costs for Crab Boats: How Much Do They Spend?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Issued by the British government
The Motor Fuel Ration Book was issued by the British government in November 1973 during the World Oil Crisis. The crisis was caused by the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) imposing an oil embargo on Western countries that had supported Israel during the Arab-Israeli Yom Kippur War. As a result, oil prices quadrupled, and supplies were restricted, leading to the imposition of petrol rationing in Britain and other parts of Western Europe that were dependent on oil imports from Arab states.
The 1973 Motor Fuel Ration Book was never used, and petrol rationing was avoided. However, it was issued for specific motor vehicles based on engine size and horsepower. For example, a book with serial number LH 553685 was issued for a Citroen car with an engine size not exceeding 1100 cc (1-9 hp). It contained coupons worth 24 x 'N' units and 12 x 'L' units, valid for a six-month period.
The ration books were printed in different colours, with green indicating an engine capacity of up to 250 cc, and red for up to 1100 cc. The coupons in the book were worth a certain number of units, with each unit representing one gallon of fuel. The number of units per coupon varied, with some being worth one, two, or three units. The value of each unit was subject to change.
The British government had previously introduced fuel rationing during World War II, from September 1939 until 1950 and again in 1956/1957. Petrol was the first commodity to be rationed during World War II as all petrol had to be imported. Rationing was also implemented for other goods such as soap, coal, meat, and newspapers.
Tractor Fuel Tanks: How Much Can They Hold?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Petrol rationing avoided
The Motor Fuel Ration Book was issued in November 1973 during the World Oil Crisis. The crisis was caused by the Organisation of Petroleum Producing Countries (OPEC) imposing an oil embargo on Western countries that had supported Israel during the Arab-Israeli Yom Kippur War. Oil prices quadrupled, and supplies were restricted, leading to the imposition of petrol rationing in Britain and other parts of Western Europe dependent on oil imports from Arab states.
However, despite the turbulent period of the miners' strike, the three-day week, and power cuts, petrol rationing was avoided. Motorists were advised to be economical with fuel and encouraged to use public transport. They were also asked not to drive on weekends and to limit their speed to 50 mph.
The ration books were never used and were similar to those issued during the Second World War, which continued until 1950 and during the Suez crisis of 1956-57. In July 1975, motorists were told they could destroy the ration books.
The ration books contained coupons covering a six-month period, with vouchers for one, two, or three units given a particular code letter. The number of coupons and the amount of fuel that could be purchased with each unit varied depending on the engine size and horsepower of the vehicle. For example, a small car not exceeding 1100 cc had four coupons per month: two x N2 units and two x L1 units.
The Cost of Red Diesel: Understanding the Price Tag
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Issued for different engine sizes
During the 1973 Oil Crisis, the British government issued fuel ration books to combat petrol shortages. These books were made out for particular motor cars based on their engine size and horsepower. For instance, a Citroen car with an engine size not exceeding 1100 cc (1-9 hp) would have been issued a fuel ration book with coupons for 24 x 'N' units and 12 x 'L' units, valid for a six-month period.
The ration books were also colour-coded based on engine size. Motorcycles with engine capacities of up to 250cc were designated with the letters JG or JH and had green covers, while those exceeding 250cc were designated KG or KH, also with green covers. Cars with engine sizes up to 1100cc were given the letters LH and had red covers, and those with slightly larger engines of 1101cc were designated MH.
The 1973-1974 period was challenging, coinciding with the miners' strike, the three-day week, and power cuts. Although petrol rationing was ultimately avoided, the fuel ration books were prepared for potential future shortages. Each book contained coupons covering a six-month period, with vouchers for one, two, or three units assigned a specific code letter. The exact quantity of fuel that could be purchased with each unit was not specified and was presumably subject to change based on the evolving circumstances.
The fuel ration books from 1973 were similar to those issued during the Second World War, which continued until 1950, and during the Suez Crisis of 1956-1957. The 1973 Oil Crisis was triggered by the Yom Kippur War, also known as the Arab-Israeli War. In response to U.S. support for Israel, the Arab members of the Organisation of Petroleum Producing Countries (OPEC) reduced oil production and imposed an oil embargo on Western countries. This led to a steep rise in oil prices and restricted supplies, affecting Britain and other parts of Western Europe heavily reliant on oil imports from Arab states.
Montana's Fuel Taxes: How Much Do They Cost?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Coupons for 'motor spirit'
In 1973, the Yom Kippur Arab/Israeli War prompted the OPEC oil-producing countries to withhold deliveries to Western countries in retaliation for their support for Israel. This led to fuel shortages at filling stations in Britain. In anticipation of rationing, the British government issued petrol coupons and Motor Fuel Ration Books to key workers.
The Motor Fuel Ration Books contained coupons covering a six-month period, with vouchers for one, two, or three units given a particular code letter. Each coupon represented one unit, which at the time was equal to one gallon of fuel. The number of coupons issued varied depending on the engine size and horsepower of the vehicle. For example, a small car not exceeding 1100 cc had, for each month, four coupons: two x N2 units and two x L1 units.
The value of these Motor Fuel Ration Books is not readily available. However, they serve as a reminder of a turbulent time in British history, with the miners' strike, the three-day week, power cuts, and fuel shortages.
Fuel Assistance in Massachusetts: How Much Do You Get?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Fuel rationing books were issued by the British government during the 1973 Oil Crisis to combat petrol shortages.
The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) imposed an oil embargo on Western countries that supported Israel during the Arab-Israeli Yom Kippur War. Oil prices quadrupled, and supplies were restricted.
The books contained coupons with a specific value, such as 'N' and 'L' units, that could be exchanged for fuel. The number of coupons and their value depended on the vehicle's engine size and horsepower.
Yes, fuel rationing was implemented during World War II from 1939 to 1945 and again in 1956-57 due to the Suez Crisis.
I cannot find an exact value for a 1973 fuel rationing book, but as these books were issued to combat petrol shortages, they likely held significant value for vehicle owners at the time.
