1935 Gas Station Resurrection

[DoctorDiesel]

I was at an antique shop today and saw this, and happened to remember this thread. I don't know if it's a deal or not, or what you want or anything, but I thought i would pass it along. It's in Iowa also, about 2 hours from you. Pm me if you wish, if you want the name of the shop.

 

[teul2]

I was at an antique shop today and saw this, and happened to remember this thread. I don't know if it's a deal or not, or what you want or anything, but I thought i would pass it along. It's in Iowa also, about 2 hours from you. Pm me if you wish, if you want the name of the shop.

Looks all original. And I'll pass along a little nuggett of info on that price tag. You see in the upper right, he has a code, "NNY". This is most likely the store owner's reminder to himself of what he paid for the item. It will be an isogram, a 10 letter word or phrase with all unique characters. Same thing my father in law does at his antique store.
Copied this from Wiki, cause I am to lazy to explain it my self.

For example, using the PATHFINDER cipher, P represents 1, A represents 2 and so on. The price tag for an item selling for $1200 may also bear the cryptic letters FRR, written on the back or bottom of the tag. A salesman familiar with the PATHFINDER cipher will know that the original cost of the item was $500, so that if the price is negotiated he will not accidentally eliminate all of the 240% margin in the $1200 price shown to prospective buyers.

Basically I explained all that to say this. His isogram for his price is only 3 characters. So the most he paid for it is $998 (assuming individual characters). That will give you $300+ in negotiation room.
Good luck.


Joe,
The station is coming along very nicely. I also find my self jealous of the selection of tools you have.

 

[HD FLHX]

I was at an antique shop today and saw this, and happened to remember this thread. I don't know if it's a deal or not, or what you want or anything, but I thought i would pass it along. It's in Iowa also, about 2 hours from you. Pm me if you wish, if you want the name of the shop.

Thanks for the thought and taking time to post pics. They are pretty proud of that sign. I'm sure the other side is in worse condition. I actually just had a single sided 30 inch made because I haven't been able to find a real one in presentable condition. For now I'm just going to run the fake above the arched door of the station office. I hope to be able to persuade the city to allow me to put up a pole and mount the "real" 42 inch DSP I have on it. If they don't let me than I'll just put a bracket on the building and hang it from that.

This is the single sided fake I had made. The guy that made it assured me the graphics would last at least 10 years outside. For where its going I think it'll look fine and most wouldn't know the difference.




A couple progress pics while I'm on here.

Finished up the backside.





Installed the exhaust fan in the south bays. I picked it up off amazon. I liked it because it is fully self contained with a on/off switch, power plug and outside shutters.

 

[Chateau Slate 66]

That's an interesting exhaust fan. Please do a little review after you've used it a bit.

 

[tlmartin84]

Joe,

Just notice your blast cabinet in the back. What size is it?

Whats the biggest thing you have blasted in it, OR what do you think the biggest thing you could fit in there is.

Kind of a loaded question......I am about to splurge on one. I have a pressure pot for BIG stuff, but still want a cabinet big enough to do some larger parts in. I feel like a 36x24 would be a decent size, but may be to tight for say a 20" wheel....

Shop is looking good!

Travis

Took some time to organize the home shop this morning and clean out the paint room since I'm going to be painting a couple gas pumps in the very near future. Weird how much room you have when you take all the shop equipment out.





I've been unsuccessful in finding a good 30" porcelain Sinclair HC sign so in the mean time I came across a guy out of Michigan that made me a new one. Its single sided made out of an aluminum composite panel. Very sturdy, yet doesn't weigh a ton. The graphics are UV protected and he assured me the sign would last a good ten years or more outside. I think its a pretty nice sign for 70 bucks plus shipping. It is going to be mounted above the arched door that looks into the station office. I think it'll look cool at night lit up by the old barn light which will be right above it.



I'm off to spend my afternoon media blasting some gas pump parts. Have a good weekend.

 

[Dr Stan]

WOW what an amazing resto.

Maybe one of us should inform Popular Mechanics, Car & Driver, etc.

 

[HD FLHX]

Joe,

Just notice your blast cabinet in the back. What size is it?

Whats the biggest thing you have blasted in it, OR what do you think the biggest thing you could fit in there is.

Kind of a loaded question......I am about to splurge on one. I have a pressure pot for BIG stuff, but still want a cabinet big enough to do some larger parts in. I feel like a 36x24 would be a decent size, but may be to tight for say a 20" wheel....

Shop is looking good!

Travis

I bought this one from Greg Smith equipment. I tend to only use it for smaller stuff so I really can't comment on the biggest item I've had in it. I threw a 15 inch rim in it to give you an idea on how much room there is and some measurements pics. I guess you would call it 48x24x24. Doors on both ends plus top. It has a built in light and vacuum system. It does a very good job keeping the dust cleared out.

 

[HD FLHX]

The non functional old restroom door is installed back into its original opening. I think it looks a whole lot better than just a piece of siding filling in the opening. I have a porcelain restroom sign to put on the outside of it.



I had high hopes for an auction tonight. Sale bill had 13 pumps advertised, but only had pics of one mid 60s Bennett. i should have known the other 12 would be 70s/80s pumps. All wasn't lost I bought a couple cans for cheap. I was only really after the Permatex & Lubaid but they grouped them all together. The Maytag oiler is kinda cool because of the local history. Maytag used to headquartered in Newton Iowa till they were bought out by whirlpool.

 

[53PontiacSD]

Those cans are too cool. I never heard of Lubaid. I guess the 60's pump went way high? I couldn't tell what the red box in the corner was with glass at the top. Great finds.

Billy

 

[bj383ss]

Those vintage cans are great. I really like the Sta-Bil one. How old do you think it is?

Bret

 

[HD FLHX]

Those cans are too cool. I never heard of Lubaid. I guess the 60's pump went way high? I couldn't tell what the red box in the corner was with glass at the top. Great finds.

Billy

The red box was an old Farmall tractor cab. They had a Farmall M on the other side of it they sold. I think the Bennett went for $450 or 500 bucks. I wasn't really shopping for pumps, usually if there are old pumps then there's old cans and memorabilia that may not be advertised. That's what I was hoping for more of.

Those vintage cans are great. I really like the Sta-Bil one. How old do you think it is?

Bret

My guess would be 70s/80s. It too new for the station office, but I'll find someplace for it.

 

[HD FLHX]

The one big project I wanted to get done this weekend was get the wall painted. Sunny and around 80 degrees, you couldn't ask for better painting weather. I pressure washed the wall a few weeks ago to get all the loose paint off. I primed it with Zinsser 123 first let it dry 24hrs then painted it with PPG Ultra satin antique white. I actually bought enough to do 2 coats, but one coat was enoughl.

In primer



Topcoat going on. I sprayed both with my Graco airless sprayer





Done and cleaned up. I think it looks 10 times better. It puts emphasis on the building itself now.





Come a long way in the last 7 months.



Here's a little tease to one piece that will be hung on the wall. (sign not the bench)

 

[Stuart in MN]

It's all looking great! Glad to see that restroom door back in place.

Here's a little tease to one piece that will be hung on the wall.

Maybe paint it right on the wall, rather than hanging a sign?

 

[HD FLHX]

Maybe paint it right on the wall, rather than hanging a sign?

That might have been an option if I had the ability. I can hang a sign, paint a mural not so much.

 

[shortykorte]

Definitely like the new look. That sign looks like it will be perfect. Agreed, paint on versus a sign but you got to do what you can. It will look great.


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[Finallygotit]

SWEET!!

 

[txvwnut]

Place is looking great! But I'm kinda thinking all that river rock needs to go now.

 

[slodat]

I've been painting exterior stucco and block on my building. The airless sprayer is where it's at! I used an elastomeric paint. Looks great, Joe! We have a lot of similar ideas, I think you might enjoy my shop thread.

 

[HOTFR8]

Come a long way in the last 7 months.

Yes you have and the place looks like you have spent plenty of time working on it in those seven months. Full credit for all that work as it looks great.

 

[jomulk56]

Absolutely amazing work so far. I can't wait to see everything else you have planned.


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[Hugo L.]

Stupid question : that big wallt you painted (and it looks very good), it looks like a former dividing, conjoined (if that even is a word) wall with another, now demolished, building. If so, it doesn't serve any purpose anymore. Could you tear it down?

 

[rmalkow2]

The newly painted wall does look great. And as you said it really makes the building pop out now and be the prominent part of the structure. Much better overall look. Your hard work over the months has produced a very cool transformation of that building.

 

[BUGTHUG]

What is the make of the paint sprayer, is that something Menards have.
I was thinking of a way to paint something big on a wall, inside or out. I was thinking a overhead projector might be the way to go. Just get a copy of what you want, then get a slide made and shine it on the wall, maybe at night, then trace it on the wall. Maybe go to the school system and see if they have some they would sell?

 

[N72727]

Hello from France.
My first post here. Just to say that you have a wonderful place. I love the office with the old cans, signs and other stuff. Very nice. I'll follow this thread every day.

 

[C_F]

What is the make of the paint sprayer, is that something Menards have.

Topcoat going on. I sprayed both with my Graco airless sprayer

Those sprayers are great! My Son bought an identical one (or very close) last year, when we painted his house. He also bought the sprayer extension, to reach up to the corners of the ceilings. It worked fantastic.

The wall looks much better painted white, nice call!

 

[Homebody]

Those sprayers are great! My Son bought an identical one (or very close) last year, when we painted his house. He also bought the sprayer extension, to reach up to the corners of the ceilings. It worked fantastic.

The wall looks much better painted white, nice call!

Agreed. I just painted my barn with a rented one. 45 gallons of paint on in under 6 hours!
They've got them at Menards ranging from $200 - 1200.

Station is looking great!!

 

[HD FLHX]

What is the make of the paint sprayer, is that something Menards have.

Its a Graco. I was in Menards today picking up some paint stripper and noticed they had a whole isle dedicated to Graco products. I bought mine about 6 years ago from Lowes.



This is the model I have.



The electrostatic guns we use at the factory are Graco's. We swear by them. Last I heard they were paying around 4k for the model we use.

 

[mcmlvif100]

Its a Graco. I was in Menards today picking up some paint stripper and noticed they had a whole isle dedicated to Graco products. I bought mine about 6 years ago from Lowes.

The electrostatic guns we use at the factory are Graco's. We swear by them. Last I heard they were paying around 4k for the model we use.

Appreciate the insight into the Graco products. Will check them out as I have a couple of paint projects coming up that might warrant picking one up.

Related to the last picture -- are steel toed boots with metatarsal guards required for your work at Deere? Haven't had to wear those since I did service calls in steel mills but recall that they got pretty heavy by the end of the day.

 

[BUGTHUG]

I'll have to check that isle out, I must of passed that isle. Its a big store and even my wife likes to shop there with me. Thanks.

 

[HD FLHX]

Related to the last picture -- are steel toed boots with metatarsal guards required for your work at Deere? Haven't had to wear those since I did service calls in steel mills but recall that they got pretty heavy by the end of the day.

Yes they are, anybody on the shop floor has to be wearing metatrsals along with gloves, ear plugs, bump caps and of course safety glasses. A few years ago they started allowing boots with internal metatarsals, I'm just one that's slow to change.

 

[HD FLHX]

I was at an antique shop today and saw this, and happened to remember this thread. I don't know if it's a deal or not, or what you want or anything, but I thought i would pass it along. It's in Iowa also, about 2 hours from you. Pm me if you wish, if you want the name of the shop.

So I had to make a trip over to Blair Nebraska today to pick up a new F150 I bought and on the way I pass a place with a giant sign that says "Classic Cars & Antiques". Well naturally I can't pass that type of place up so I stop on the way back home after I was done at the dealership. I make my way back to the "Car Room" round a corner and come across this Sinclair HC sign



Small world and you were right it was right at 2hrs from me. I will say it was in pretty rough condition for what they were asking for it. I did pick up a few other items at pretty good prices. My favorite being a 1949 Ford Mechanics handbook. I bought the Apco can because Apco gas is what was originally sold at my building. Apco stuff is kinda scarce around here.

 

[bj383ss]

You picked up some awesome stuff. How much did they want for the 57' Chevy hood?

Bret

 

[rmalkow2]

Some very cool additions to your front office display. That cover "Car of the Future" picture on Science and Mechanics magazine is killer. I remember seeing those type of pictures on mags my dad subscribed to. It's almost too bad our cars of today did not turn out like that instead of all the boring look alike on the highway.

 

[BUGTHUG]

Apco refinery use to be about 12 miles from me. I think the main one is located in Arkansas City, Kansas. I had a big APCO sign that was used at a station here, unfortunately I had a auction and it was one of the signs that sold.
The home I live in know was a home owned by Apco in a couple block section of Ark City, it was rented to some of the refiners. It was also in a major flood area. After they closed the plant down in the late 70's, the city went in and tore down a lot of the bungalow homes and some were given away but had to be moved. My home was lucky to be one they moved.
I still have a few small Apco signs that went on the gas pumps and some about the pipe line of who to contact in case of emergency. You are getting a very nice collection of the smaller quick sell items that were always displayed around the cash register.

 

[HD FLHX]

You picked up some awesome stuff. How much did they want for the 57' Chevy hood?

Bret

Not sure didn't look. Being a Ford guy it didn't grab my attention The store is Missouri Valley Antiques. You could probably call them and get info on it if your interested.

Some very cool additions to your front office display. That cover "Car of the Future" picture on Science and Mechanics magazine is killer. I remember seeing those type of pictures on mags my dad subscribed to. It's almost too bad our cars of today did not turn out like that instead of all the boring look alike on the highway.

Yeah I agree, that's why I bought it. It just screams early 50's and the electronic garage door opener headline made me laugh a bit. For 3 bucks it was a no brainer.

Apco refinery use to be about 12 miles from me. I think the main one is located in Arkansas City, Kansas. I had a big APCO sign that was used at a station here, unfortunately I had a auction and it was one of the signs that sold.
The home I live in know was a home owned by Apco in a couple block section of Ark City, it was rented to some of the refiners. It was also in a major flood area. After they closed the plant down in the late 70's, the city went in and tore down a lot of the bungalow homes and some were given away but had to be moved. My home was lucky to be one they moved.
I still have a few small Apco signs that went on the gas pumps and some about the pipe line of who to contact in case of emergency. You are getting a very nice collection of the smaller quick sell items that were always displayed around the cash register.

Thanks for some background on Apco. Personally being born in the late 70's it was a brand that was before my time. I wasn't really familiar with any thing about it until I purchased this building. It may have been a regional product also? I don't remember anyone ever mentioning Apco stations in north central Indiana when I was growing up as a kid. In my little town there were two, my building and a station on the east end of town that began life as a Cities Service Station. Not sure when it became an Apco, but I came across a pic of it from the 70's

 

[Homebody]

Smart move on not buying the Sinclair sign. Most likely a repop being sold as vintage. It's big business these days by shady people.

Notice how few of the bullet holes are on the text? Fake rust. I don't know about you but when we went out shooting old signs we'd always take bets on who can hit the H, L, C, etc. That one even has a nice little hyphen as a bullseye! They all look the same.

 

[BUGTHUG]

That looks like an APCO station. The one thing that kindof confuses me is the price of gas they have displayed. 15 cent sounds to cheap for the time. I think in the mid 70's, 73 or 74 is when they had the big gas embargo, and everywhere was almost ration the amount of gas you could by. Man that had to be a big change in automotive history. NO more HIGH PERFORMANCE factory cars, all the big gas guzzling whales became extinct. Japanese imports were the new Chevrolets.
I remember the price being more around 50 to 70 cents a gal that time. Lucky me was just at the driving age. I bought my first car, a 1962 4 door 6cyl, 3 on the tree. It was owned by a little old lady just up the street from me, been sitting in a one car garage and shelled out $250.00 of hard earned Taco Tico pay. Taco Tico, along with Pizza Hut, and White Castle got there start in Wichita, Kansas.
Oh also the sign looks to be a two sided plastic sign

 

[HD FLHX]

Sorry Bug I guess I lied I forgot about the APCO station on the west end of town. So Perry had 3 at one point.



For being a town of around 6500 back then they had a lot of stations. The historical committee put out a picture book last fall featuring many of Perry's past businesses. Here's a few of the gas stations from it. The DX station is just too cool. To bad it was torn down to make way for a new library twenty years ago.

 

[Big Dad]

the Apco is exhaust pros now , right ?

 

[HD FLHX]

the Apco is exhaust pros now , right ?

The first one I showed yes. The second one is now a body shop