In May of 1942, the U.S. Office of Price Administration (OPA) froze prices
on practically all everyday goods, starting with sugar and coffee. War
Ration Books were issued to each American family, dictating how much
any one person could buy. Gasoline was rationed on May 15, 1942 on the
east coast, and nationwide that December. The OPA issued various stickers
to be affixed to the car’s windshield, depending on need. In order to get your classification and ration stamps, you had to certify to a local board (above)
that you needed gas and owned no more than five tires.The ‘A’ sticker
(below) was issued to owners whose use of their cars was nonessential.