Basic mileage ration card with coupons

Creator

United States. Office of Price Administration

Date

• 1942

Summary

• A perforated sheet of ten gasoline ration coupons, each about one inch square, and the top portion of a Basic Mileage Ration book issued to a Manitowoc County resident under the Office of Price Administration's gasoline rationing program during World War II. The coupon sheet, which probably would have included more than the ten coupons remaining here, was originally attached to the top portion, which identifies the owner's name, address, and automobile. Instructions for using the coupons are printed on the left face of the top portion, and further regulations are printed on the back. The automobile license number is also written on each coupon. The "A" designation corresponds to the car's "A" windshield sticker, which categorized it as a vehicle not essential for war-related driving and therefore eligible for three or four gallons of gasoline per week. There were other categories with different letters that allowed for larger quantities. Some gasoline rationing started in eastern states in May 1942. In Manitowoc County, gasoline rationing started December 1, 1942, and ended in August 1945. The primary purpose of gasoline rationing was to conserve rubber for the war effort by cutting down on the use of automobile tires.