ehicle ownership costs were rising in 1976VThe average standard-sized car in the medium- price range, if it was driven 10,000 miles a year, would cost $1,831 to operate, or 18.3 cents a mile, according to the American Automobile Association. The figure for 1974 was 16.6. That sum included fixed costs like insurance, depreciation and license fees which added up to $1,186....