Unleaded Gasoline in Vintage Cars

by Craig Knights

Hi there from New Zealand, I was just reading your page about Avengers and stuff, and I've just got some insight into that thing about the unleaded petrol.

We've had unleaded 96 octane in NZ for about three years, and my NZ-made 1981 Avenger 1300 has done about 30 000 km on it most of it at highish speeds, through the mountains. It has taken some abuse but the engine has given no trouble. No smoking, no pinking, starts good. The carburetor gave up which might have been due to the high volatiles that they stick in the petrol now to boost the octane rating. There was a bit of trouble for a while with people reckoning that the increased toluene and benzene was eating the fuel hoses and causing car fires. Some got compensation for it from the fuel companies.

We can buy "Valvemaster" additives in syringes that are supposed to save your valves and even the Automobile Association reckons they work. Not many people here bother with new, hardened valve guides.

So overall,

• My Avenger doesn't mind unleaded with an additive
• Watch out for dissolving rubber bits
• And here in NZ I reckon I could spot around 10 or more Avengers a day just driving around, and Austin Allegros and tons of Austin Marinas and Princesses.