Which gas would you buy?

[dodj]

It's a common perception that it's lower grade fuel. Maybe that's all hogwash.

It's not perceived that way here in my area?

[HP2]

Sounds like what you are really asking is if res gas is really lower grade or not.  I don't know that anyone here can answer that definitively unless they have insider knowledge. To know that is going to require a deep dive into their distribution network and questions about their additive packages.

[MoparLeo]

You don't neccesarily need premium. Depends on the engine C:R. It only needs to be high enough to not ping on acceleration.
Gasoline octane needs to be as low as the engine needs, higher octane is just wasting money. What the older cars, pre 73 really lack is Lead. Non of it is leaded. So more expensive gas doesn't buy your wngine more wear protection. Additives are almost nonexistant anymore for the leaded valve seat crowd.
Just try a little of the lower octane gas and accelerate going up a hil. If it doesn't ping, it doesn't need to be higher octane. The lower octane fuels burn hotter thanthe higher octane fuels do. That is why you can run higher CR and need more timing. They burn slower/colder. Just think about nitromethane. Very high octane and needs much more spark advance to burn it.
If your car is a driver. you should replace all the rubber in the fuel system with modern matterials that are ethanol tolerant. That means rebuilding the carb,fuel pump and all lines.

[70vert]

While "reservation" gas may be the same, unless you can verify I would not use it. I only use gas that is certified Top Tier> https://www.toptiergas.com/
I seldom find stations with non-ethanol here in Houston. Used to be some Sonoco ones but none near me and many of them have closed. My car, and engine are not worth the risk of non top tier, just to save a buck. And honestly the only issue I've faced with Ethanol is having to rebuild the carb more frequently.

[BIGSHCLUNK]

Gas is gas... it's what ever the additives are. In my area there are 2 tank farms..... but several "brands" around town. Easy math for sure