The folks over at Oobject make lists of all sort of interesting things. It's a great blog and one that I read regularly. Recently, they ...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
- Thread starter Ryan
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The folks over at Oobject make lists of all sort of interesting things. It's a great blog and one that I read regularly. Recently, they ...
To read the rest of this blog entry from The Garage Journal, click here.
Lou's Garage
Well-known member
Once upon a time they actually tried to make gas stations look attractive; in some cases, "objects d'art." Although it was just a rectangular box, even my dad's (1957) Esso station had some visual elements to distract the eye away from the functionality.
I have a weakness for those old tall, skinny gas pumps. We had them in our first and (for a while) second station. Our's were Gilbarco's, not sure of the model. I'm unsure of the pumps in the picture but they look to be American made too, despite their locale (Netherlands). Great pictures, thanks for posting!
Lou
I have a weakness for those old tall, skinny gas pumps. We had them in our first and (for a while) second station. Our's were Gilbarco's, not sure of the model. I'm unsure of the pumps in the picture but they look to be American made too, despite their locale (Netherlands). Great pictures, thanks for posting!
Lou
Flathead Red
Well-known member
I'm with you Snappy. I remember the days of Service Stations having SERVICE. Full or Self. Checking oil, water and blades. Actually having a garage attached for minor repairs. When I think of this , it reminds me of the scene in "The Jerk" where Steve Martin is getting shot at in the gas station and the guy keeps hitting all the oil cans.
" He hates these cans. Stay away from the cans. "
Flathead Red
" He hates these cans. Stay away from the cans. "
Flathead Red
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hydramatic
Well-known member
Thanks Ryan...back in the day...my dad would say, In every croud, there`s an esso bee.!!!!!!!!!!
speedfreak81
Member
Really nice looking. I bet there would be a market for building one of these nowadays. Put it somewhere in a decently high traffic area, and the nostalgic nature of it would draw people in. Not sure how much "money" you could make off of a gas station realistically, but I bet it would draw a crowd. Maybe have an ice cream shop inside or something like that, and have the employees dress in '50s attire. Hmmmm........
tcianci
Well-known member
'freak..I have had the same idea for some time! I wonder if it would be worth all the **** you need to go through in getting everything permitted (environmental concerns). I think it would certainly be way cool to pull up to a station where the guys come out in uniform and caps, check the oil and air, fill the tank and wash the windshield. Of course you would need to have the nostalgic building and pumps and the rest of the period furnishings.
speedfreak81
Member
Absolutely agreed. I wonder what it would take, and what sort of licensing you would need if you were going to use actual vintage names. Most of them probably aren't in existance anymore, but if they have been bought out along the way by someone else, some sort of deal would have to be worked out on that end. I think it would certainly be WAY cool.
Stuart in MN
Well-known member
The thing is, it would be hard to make a gas station work these days if all you sold was gasoline...you almost have to have a convenience store to actually make any money at it.
I came across this webpage full of pictures of old gas stations all over the country: http://www.agilitynut.com/gas/main.html
I came across this webpage full of pictures of old gas stations all over the country: http://www.agilitynut.com/gas/main.html
tcianci
Well-known member
Oh! The money making part is for sure a no-go. It would have to be just an extension of our hobby! As far as using the old names, I have seen a "Jenney" station in Amherst village NH. Its a cool old wooden building with the 40s-50s gas pumps in operation and the old lighting and air tower. I wonder how you could get it permitted to use old gas pumps and not have those God-awful ugly foam fire suppression system nozzles pointing all over the place or the super-fat vapor recovery hoses on the pumps. We have legislated the class out of everything!
rburke65
Well-known member
EPA,local fire and electrical codes...........I have to think they are not going to allow them to be used.
Titus
Well-known member
The first thing I thought of when I saw the article was the old Orbit stations in Sacramento, and sure enough they were on the list. My wife and I lived about a mile from the one pictured when we first got married.
floridaguy
Well-known member
These gas stations had so much style.
PassnThru
Well-known member
Unfortunately, nostalgia would only get you so far. Your client base is getting old and well, dying on you. Even if it was a success early on, it's days would be numbered because of those people that grew up in a time where full service stations were very, very rare.
ddawg16
Well-known member
Back in 'the day'? I was back in the day.....
I pumped gas from the time I was 5....full service...check the oil, tires....wash the windshield.....
I remember when gas was $.24/gal....and we handed out stamps....I didn't have to wear a hat...but I did have a uniform.....everyone called me "Jack Jr"....(my dads name was Jack....in case you could't figure that one out).
There was no such thing as self service....people rarely used a check...many of the businesses had an account....they would fill up in the morning...I wrote down how much gas...they signed it....paid the bill at the end of the month...
There was no such thing as self service....but if you wanted to stop at the island and air up your own tires...go ahead....you didn't have to drop in a quater to use that air hose....and I would even lone you my gauge....
Those were the days we used a specific gravity tester to test the acid in your battery...if it was low we put in 'distilled water'....even had a fancy tester for your anti-freeze...
My dad showed me how to rebuild generators....yep...generators...not alternators...
And when it was time to go home...I rod on the back box of his old HD 3-wheeler....with no helmet.
The only thing I miss is my dad...the rest are memories that are welcome to stay memories.
I pumped gas from the time I was 5....full service...check the oil, tires....wash the windshield.....
I remember when gas was $.24/gal....and we handed out stamps....I didn't have to wear a hat...but I did have a uniform.....everyone called me "Jack Jr"....(my dads name was Jack....in case you could't figure that one out).
There was no such thing as self service....people rarely used a check...many of the businesses had an account....they would fill up in the morning...I wrote down how much gas...they signed it....paid the bill at the end of the month...
There was no such thing as self service....but if you wanted to stop at the island and air up your own tires...go ahead....you didn't have to drop in a quater to use that air hose....and I would even lone you my gauge....
Those were the days we used a specific gravity tester to test the acid in your battery...if it was low we put in 'distilled water'....even had a fancy tester for your anti-freeze...
My dad showed me how to rebuild generators....yep...generators...not alternators...
And when it was time to go home...I rod on the back box of his old HD 3-wheeler....with no helmet.
The only thing I miss is my dad...the rest are memories that are welcome to stay memories.
tonydanzah
Well-known member
what is the geodesic dome doing in the background of the first pic?
floridaguy
Well-known member
Nuts
Well-known member
The B-17 Bomber in Portland Oregon is a classic, sadly many parts missing now.
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2968
Nuts
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2968
Nuts
gary300
Well-known member
Probably dating myself...... but DITTO for me. Worked as a teenager at a Texaco station in the middle sixties.