What kind of gas mileage could a guy expect from a 1940's or early 1950's Dodge or Plymouth? Did the cars with the 3 speed overdrive transmission do considerably better?

Great question, I'm doing 1 in my 40 Dodge now, I am planning the T5 trans swap & an 8 3/4 with probably 3.55 gears. I had a buddy of mine that had that exact combo in his 36 Plymouth. he drove that car all over. He moved from Minnesota to North Carolina, he & his wife drove the car. It would run highway speeds, accelerated well enuff to be fun. I hate he moved back to Minnesota.

My dad had a 49 phord 3 speed w/O.D and he said it was in the low to mid 20's, not sure if it was the 85 or 101 horse engine

Mitch

I have no numbers but 40 years ago my first car was a 56 Dodge with a Flathead/Powerflite. That was back when you could put in $5 and cruise most of the night.

I don't recall anything I owned after that with the exception of an Austin America that would go any significant distance further on a Saturday night.

If I had to guess I would say 20ish MPG.

Kevin