From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for Oct. 5, 1988:

Dropping temperatures in the area this month were accompanied by an increase in the price of auto antifreeze. Supplies of antifreeze were already tight, and increased demand was expected to send the price of that wintertime necessity to new heights. “Right now we’re in a season where people have decided they need it and are going to buy it regardless of the price. They’re just looking for the best deal,” said Jeff Flowers, manager of Western Auto, 1008 W. 23rd. Flowers added that he had been limited to about 15 cases a month during the summer and that his store had been sold out of the product four weeks in a row. Other stores reported similar shortages and uncertainty. “It’s simply on a week-to-week basis when the truck comes in,” said Alan Zimmerman, manager of Coast to Coast Hardware, 1832 Massachusetts. “If there’s some on it, dandy; if not, too bad.” And antifreeze wasn’t an optional part of car maintenance, pointed out Wes Stacy, manager of Autoworks, 1441 W. 23rd. “If the water in the radiator and the block of your engine freezes, it expands and when it expands it’s got to go somewhere so you could end up with a cracked block or radiator.” Prices on antifreeze were at their highest in recent memory, generally between $7 and $8.50 on name brands, after fires this summer had put two petroleum refineries out of business.