1960 Mobil Economy Run 5th Day Des Moines to Minneapolis

Efforts by American automobile manufacturers to improve fuel efficiency.

The Mobil Economy Run was an annual fuel efficiency competition held from 1936 to 1968 (except during WWII), where various car manufacturers competed to achieve the highest miles per gallon under real-world driving conditions. Sponsored by Mobil Oil and the United States Auto Club, the transcontinental event showcased advancements in fuel economy and automotive engineering to eager consumers nationwide.

The 1960 Mobil Economy Run saw 56 pairs of drivers (including numerous women) meet up at the Rose Bowl in Los Angeles. It was only on the day of the ‘race’ that they learned their final destination – Minneapolis. Each car ran for about 12 hours a day at an average of 40 mph, boasting specialized fuel tanks to ensure that no tampering took place and that fuel efficiency was accurately measured along the route. The ultimate victor was the Studebaker Hawk, which achieved an average of nearly 23 miles per gallon on its 99 HP 2.8L V-6 engine.

Practical in form, though complicated in format, this strip map covers the 5th Day of the 1960 Mobil Economy Run, showing the ~260-mile route between Des Moines and Minneapolis. Because of its tremendous size (almost 50 feet in length!), the sheet was likely spooled around a rotating drum and ‘cranked’ as the road was traversed.

The exceptionally long sheet has an equally large scale, presenting each turn, stop sign, railroad crossing, bridge, intersection, and other pertinent obstacles along the route. Stoplights are timed to the exact second, with specific durations (in seconds) provided for green, yellow, and red. Speed limits, the locations of Mobil Gas stations, and other relevant information to participants are also noted.