In the 1980s–1990s, a surprising number of shade-tree mechanics and backyard hot-rodders developed a bizarre habit: drinking the old gasoline from removed fuel filters as a "rite of passage" or "tough guy test." It started as a dumb dare in garages and drag strips — they'd crack open a clogged filter, pour the dirty gas into a shot glass, and chug it to prove they weren't squeamish about fuel system work.

A 1992 informal poll in Hot Rod Magazine's letters section found ~12% of readers admitted to trying it at least once. The practice faded as EFI systems replaced carburetors (less gunk in modern filters), but old-school gearheads still talk about it like a badge of honor.

Fun side note: gasoline contains benzene and other carcinogens — so those guys were literally drinking cancer juice to look cool. Most ended up with stomach issues or worse, but the legend lives on in garage lore.