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Actually, the 122 predates "official" fuel mileage ratings (at least the ones we're now used to seeing) by several years. The EPA numbersfor fuel mileage began appearing on window stickers in the mid-70's, if memory serves.
I do have, however, some fuel mileage calculations taken from a logbook that I kept on my then-new 1968 122S (115 hp B18), and I can even pin down the driving environment for this particular set of numbers. This was on my honeymoon trip (!) from Kansas to San Antonio, wandering back up through Texas and Oklahoma to southwest Missouri, then back home. About half of this would have been done at 65-70 on two lane highways, about half would have been interstate cruising at 75+, with some urban driving (prolly 3-5% of the total) thrown in for good measure.
The trip totalled 2441 miles over 9 days, using 105.3 gallons of regular leaded gas, for an average of 23.8 mpg. Highest single tank mileage was 25.3 mpg, lowest was 22.4 mpg. (Oh yeah - the total cost for fuel was $36.80, or 34.9 cents per gallon!)
At the extreme end, I also have records that reflect 33.2 mpg for a 145 mile economy run (SCCA event) in an identical '68 122S, done in and around Wichita, Kansas in late 1970. This was a mix of urban and (mostly) open rural driving, 45 mph average for the entire course. But it was accomplished using every trick in the book... 60 psi in the tires, SU's dangerously lean, short shifting, engine-off coasting, etc. I remember finishing 2nd in class (1500-2000 cc sedans, I believe) to a 1600cc Ford Cortina, losing by something like a 10th of a gallon!
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Gary L - 1971 142E ITB racer, 73 1800ES, 02 S60 T5
BlueBrick Racing
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