FWIW, the gas in some places is all the same, with the differences in what additives are added as branding. All the fuel sold in Reno (and I guess "northern" Nevada including Tahoe) is sent from the Bay area via pipeline (presumably along I-80).
Wow. Hate to say it, but this makes you sound really, really old.
Souped up GMC truck with a 383 (0.30" overbored 350 c.i. Chevy V-8 with a crank from a 400 c.i. motor). Not to be fooled with! Not too many people passing me on I-80 between Auburn and the Donner Summit.
I had to manually set the advance down to 3 degrees ASL if I wanted to start the engine!
Anyway, sad to say so many people are take in by branded gasoline and its performance claims, as well as buying higher octane fuel, when their vehicles don't need it (I know my partner''s 93 Suzuki truck needs at least 89 octane on a dry high-pressure/warm day while my souped-up '86 'vette should need at least 89 - 94 on a really warm day).