Gas Ration Stickers

Issued in 1942.

The U.S. Office of Price Administration (OPA) rationed gasoline on May 15, 1942 on the east coast, and nationwide that December to assist in the war effort which created massive shortages and issued a variety of stickers to identify users and control the amount of petrol used.

The stickers had to be affixed to the car’s windshield, depending on need. To get your classification and ration stamps, you had to certify to a local board that you needed gas and owned no more than five tires.

The “A” sticker is the most common of the WW2 Gas ration stickers, and was issued to the general public.

gas ration a

“A” gas ration sticker.

The “B” sticker was issued primarily to business owners.

gas ration b

“B” gas ration sticker.

The “C” sticker was issued primarily to professional people, physicians nurses, dentists, ministers, priests, Mail delivery, embalmers, farm workers, construction or maintenance workers, Soldiers and armed forces going to duty, and several others.

It has a tab under the “C” for the individual to check his occupation. There are 17 different occupations for this sticker.

In reality this one was more used than the “A” sticker which is pretty much mostly seen today simply because it was larger. Immediately after the war it was quickly scraped off the windshield as it revealed the exact occupation of professional people who did not wish their occupation revealed on their cars.

gas ration c

“C” gas ration sticker.

The “M” sticker was issued to motorcycle drivers which included Western Union and other types of delivery people who used motorcycles for their business.

gas ration m

“M” gas ration sticker.

The “T” sticker was issued to truck drivers.

gas ration t

“T” gas ration sticker.

The “X” sticker was issued in special instances for high mileage type jobs such as travelling salesmen etc.

gas ration x

“X” gas ration sticker.

ration a front 1 3861w

“A” Ration sticker front. (©Photo by Segura)

a ration decal 39 lincoln zephyr 4 2500w

“A” Ration sticker front on a 1939 Lincoln Zephyr. (©Photo by Segura)

ration b front 1 3861w

“B” Ration sticker front. (©Photo by Segura)

ration b front 2 3861w

“B” Ration sticker front. (©Photo by Segura)

ration b back 3861w

“B” Ration sticker back. (©Photo by Segura)

b sticker a

“B” Ration sticker front on a 1939 Lincoln Zephyr. (©Photo by Segura)

b sticker c

“B” Ration sticker front on a 1939 Lincoln Zephyr. (©Photo by Segura)

a ration decal 39 lincoln zephyr 5 2500w

“A” Ration sticker back on a 1939 Lincoln Zephyr. (©Photo by Segura)

All of these stickers and much more are all available for purchase at Inspection Sticker, they make any restoration complete.

(source: Inspection Sticker)

For GREAT deals on a new or used car check out Smarter Way to Buy TODAY!