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You’d be forgiven if you thought we were back in the gas rationing days of the 1970s.

But the cars honking and trying to get through traffic while around 200 other vehicles wrapped around the block of a Compton gas station on Friday morning, July 1, were not the result of rationing,

Rather, the logjam was because of astronomical gas prices — and an offer to fill up for free.

Compton Councilman Andre Spicer, who represents that city’s Second District, hosted a free gas event for Compton residents at ZY Oil gas station on Friday, offering up  to $50 worth of fuel per vehicle.

Spicer partnered with ZY Oil and the musical artist known as El Compa Negro, from Boss City Music and Death Row Records, to give away $3,000 worth of gas to provide some relief to the community as prices remain high.

There was only one problem — more cars showed up than there was money to go around.

That may not be much of a suprise.

Especially considering gas prices are averaging about $5 a gallon nationwide and even higher in car-dependent Southern California.

And motorists are also waiting for the government to help out, by possibly, for example, suspending gas and diesel taxes for three months, which President Joe Biden has proposed in an effort to save people roughly 3.6% at the pumps.

“I knew we were going to have a turnout,” Spicer said. “I had no idea it was going to be like this.”

Spicer is a new councilman, having been sworn in 30 days ago.

His plan, he said, was to quickly become active in his position with events such as these. Still, on Friday, he asked for patience from constituents as officials try to bring more resources and change into the community.

“We got a donation and we just wanted to put it to use as soon as possible,” Spicer said. “And people need it, it’s clear.”

Cars started waiting for the free gas event at 10 p.m. the day before, Spicer said.

The line of cars went down Long Beach Boulevard, wrapped around Palmer Street and down Bullis Road, and onto Compton Boulevard.

Around 200 cars tried to take advantage of the free gas, which caused traffic jams on Compton and Bullis.

Rhyan Lowery, also known as El Compa Negro, saw the need of the community and donated $1,000 more at the event since cars were still waiting in line when the money initially ran out.

“What I’m trying to do is make this (event) more normalized with celebrities,” Lowery said. “If I’m able to do it, then surely they can do it. And Compton is only 9 square miles but there’s over 2,500 celebrities that have come out of Compton so why not make a trade. Everybody could use some gas right now.”

Lowery said he had to sell his new truck because of high gas prices, so he couldn’t imagine the struggle of working people in Compton. That’s why he wanted to give back, he said.

Ivan Asencion, 18, of Compton said that the free gas event benefited the community and he said he hopes there will be more like it.

“People are struggling right now with gas because of high prices,” Asencion said. The event “came at a really good time.”

The planned two-hour event ended early, as the $4,000 donated overall filled up as many cars as it could — but left about 80 still waiting.

Maria Wenceslao, of Compton, was one of the last few cars to get free gas. Her older daughter told her about the event.

“This is really going to help me today, my gas was on empty,” Wenceslao said in Spanish. “I’d like for them to do an event like this again for the people who weren’t able to get the free gas today. Hopefully next time they can.”

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