1935 Gas Station Resurrection

[Loose Ctrl]

That bad boy is gonna be straighter than the day it rolled off the line.

 

[madison069]

Digging the Customline! Patiently waiting for finish results of the Customline!

 

[HD FLHX]

Changed up the office a little, added some shelves behind the counter. It displays the can collection better and frees up a lot of space in the case for other stuff.

20180412_112304 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180412_112955 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180412_204657 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

20180412_221025 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180406_200320 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180402_172051 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180402_172107 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180402_172044 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

Slowly picking up little pieces of Sovereign Service, Apco and Wards Service that are era correct for years that this station wore their colors.

[

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

The first dog is almost as big as Dino!

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Oh yeah, that, that right there is a sweet pic of the C-line. I know you have other plans, but I think she'd look good in a reversed white with black two-tone paint scheme.

 

[15til3]

This used to be a Sinclair station. Went in to talk to the guy to see if they had any signs laying around and the father who started the business was telling me about all the stuff they threw out when they bought the place a few decades back. Needless to say they had nothing left.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

They could have struck it rich selling that stuff.

 

[rlwhitetr3b]

They could have struck it rich selling that stuff.

It was probably just trash when they got rid of it. Now if they had stored it...

 

[C_F]

The first dog is almost as big as Dino!

That may be a horse.

 

[Homebody]

I bet the flower basket never got that much tail!!

 

[Jeepster04]

This used to be a Sinclair station. Went in to talk to the guy to see if they had any signs laying around and the father who started the business was telling me about all the stuff they threw out when they bought the place a few decades back. Needless to say they had nothing left.

Reading that made me a little sick to my stomach....

 

[HD FLHX]

Spring time means one thing...its the start of auction season. I spent a few hours yesterday at one that was an estate of guy who ran a HVAC business. Loads of junk with a bit of cool mixed.

2018-04-22_07-12-19 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
2018-04-22_07-09-31 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

Old IH fridge. Didn't buy it just thought it was cool.

2018-04-22_07-08-10 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

This 30" slip roll did follow me home. It's one heavy SOB. It'll clean up with a little bit of elbow grease.

20180420_014448 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180419_112814 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

This was the inspiration for my Power X sign on the wall out front. It is a billboard for a model train. I was probably the only guy on the planet looking for one, but about a week and a half ago I got an alert from ebay that a new Power X item had been listed. When I seen what it was I immediately bid on it. (and was the only bidder btw Lol) All the way from Hawaii it now has a forever home.

A few new display items worth mentioning.

20180421_150002 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

This can I was excited to get because it is NOS full never opened and it only cost me 14.50. Wish I could have bought a case at that price.

20180417_080250 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

These two are pretty neat, the one is a 1956 Sinclair credit card terms with an original paper credit card that expired in 1957. The other is a 60's Goodyear banner. I really like that one because it advertises both Goodyear & Sinclair.


20180418_044540 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180417_163206 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

Stripped the last body part for the Customline and the front disc brake conversion showed up.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Good update. It looks like things are about to stop faster.

 

[camarosrus69]

Maybe you've been asked this before, I don't recall, but how long does it take you to strip a body panel like that hood, and do you do both sides? It looks like it would take quite a while to get it perfectly bare, like you do. I know you use stripper and then abrasively remove the remnants, but damn, that looks like brand new steel when you're done. One other question. Is Dino's paint job showing any signs of wear from the constant mauling he is getting?

 

[IMCA38]

I think I saw some of Dino’s offspring out running around yesterday!

EDIT- sorry about the pic. I hate iPhones!

 

[Loose Ctrl]

 

[BUGTHUG]

I just bought that same slip roller at a auction last week. Could you take a picture of the end that does not have the handle? Mine has one gear on one of the roller shaft, and its not doing anything. Was wondering what the purpose of the gear was for? Mine looks like almost the same condition, except the top roller has a few gouge's, not shure if that will leave a mark on the metal that goes thru there? Thanks, your collection is looking awesome

 

[HD FLHX]

I just bought that same slip roller at a auction last week. Could you take a picture of the end that does not have the handle? Mine has one gear on one of the roller shaft, and its not doing anything. Was wondering what the purpose of the gear was for? Mine looks like almost the same condition, except the top roller has a few gouge's, not shure if that will leave a mark on the metal that goes thru there? Thanks, your collection is looking awesome

Sorry it took so long, but here's a pic

20180509_133433 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

 

[HD FLHX]

Yesterday morning I hosted a charity car cruise at the station. Temps were a bit chilly, but at least the rain held off for them.

20180513_120056 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180513_120119 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180512_231015 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180512_105932 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180512_110807 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

Added some good stuff to the office in the past couple weeks.

20180510_134859 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180510_104210 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180510_104133 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180509_120917 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

 

[dchance]

Great to see the cruise at the station.

Dwight

 

[Loose Ctrl]

That's awesome! I still use RuGlyde to mount motorcycle tires. I don't have the room for my own automotive tire balancer and mounting machine. My manual tire machine is a pain for car tires.

 

[BUGTHUG]

I just bought that same slip roller at a auction last week. Could you take a picture of the end that does not have the handle? Mine has one gear on one of the roller shaft, and its not doing anything. Was wondering what the purpose of the gear was for? Mine looks like almost the same condition, except the top roller has a few gouge's, not shure if that will leave a mark on the metal that goes thru there? Thanks, your collection is looking awesome

I need the bottom gear, you have an extra? It looks to be the same size as the top gear. Thanks for the picture. BUG

 

[Bears Fan]

Great updates! Looks like the cruze in was a big hit! but not as big as Dino, maybe you should put a good coat of automotive wax on her, then sit back and watch the people trying to mount her

 

[1949 caddyman]

Reading the “Does not boil away” on the antifreeze can brought back a memory of when I was working at a Shell gas station in 1970. An older guy would come in & ask me to “check the alcohol in his radiator”.

I guess they at one time would add alcohol to the water to lower the freeze point. I never knew that prior to meeting the old guy.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

I thought they added methanol.

 

[Toothaker]

Yes, methanol = wood alcohol = rubbing alcohol. Cheap and readily available. In the winter my dad used methanol on cars that leaked coolant, but he calls it rubbing alcohol.

 

[signcrafter]

Drove by the Newton Sinclair station today and they are digging up the parking lot and the pumps are gone. Sign says they are still open but not sure what's going on. Been out of town for a month so out of the loop. I know the city was talking about tearing down the two buildings next to it so they may be tearing down the station also. Or they could just be updating the pumps. Kind of doubt that because the station is old and small compared to today's gas stations. Only ever stopped there once and they still had dial up for credit card machines. So might be worth giving them a call to see what the deal is and if they are closing see if you can get anything.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Yes, methanol = wood alcohol = rubbing alcohol. Cheap and readily available. In the winter my dad used methanol on cars that leaked coolant, but he calls it rubbing alcohol.

 

[charles kline]

Joe, you've done an amazing job!

I found this thread on Tuesday while doing research for remodeling my garage and got completely captivated by your restoration and have been reading it page by page over the past days.

The amount of work in a short amount of time puts my 2-3 year house projects to shame! I need to be more like you with my projects! lol.

The thing that is surprising/impressive is that although you've done a ton of work to the inside and the station part, the fixing up of the old doors, windows and rotted eves wasn't all that much work (relatively speaking) It should stand as a good example that some of those small fixer up jobs are not that hard and can be done easily and affordably.


Its funny how many times you were asked if you were going to paint the OSB.

I wish I could have followed along in real time I would have added to those that were saying white doors with green lower squares. I really like that green but it makes the doors really dark and all the historic photos you've found seem to show they were always light colored. Might be worth someone doing a photoshop to see what it would look like. I think it would really play off the white and green gable ends.



I am jealous of your close access to Menards, the closest one to me (Golden, CO) is up in Cheyenne, WY. I've made the trip up there multiple times with my trailer to load up on building supplies. Everything in the Denver area is so over prices and it seems like Lowes and HD don't even compete anymore they just set all their prices exactly the same!

Dino showed up about 8pm last night. I took a few pics after we unloaded him. I centered him up on the old basket pad and bolted him down this evening. Haven't gotten any good day time pics yet.

I think you made the absolute right choice on the dino, the larger one might have been too big for the area and for the existing flower pot pad.

That one has a good expression and you didn't have to restore and repaint an old one.

I was in Omaha this weekend, and about 45th & Center street there is a very much alive and operating Sinclair station. I thought of the re-creation of yours in Iowa, and I tend to forget that there are still Sinclair stations out there, open for business.

We have tons in Colorado, its weird to think of places that don't have any Sinclairs left.


I'm glad the butthead that punched your pump was caught.

I look forward to following the future updates on your facebook page.

-Charles

 

[brg404]

Might be an option:

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/DM18/The-Dingman-Collection/lots/s0148-sinclair-neon-sign/662964

 

[Stuart in MN]

Might be an option:

https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/DM18/The-Dingman-Collection/lots/s0148-sinclair-neon-sign/662964

Sinclair Neon Sign. Estimated sale price $4,000 - $6,000.

May not be an option.

 

[HD FLHX]

Also to new. I'm a Sinclair HC guy.

 

[wout]

Saw this last Sunday at a local flee market.

gr
Wout

 

[XJSuperman]

Those are pretty cool.

 

[C_F]

Those are pretty cool.

Looks like they are in halfway decent shape, too.

 

[N72727]

Sinclair serviceman - ©SHORPY.

 

[RangerReady23]

Sir, I am new to this forum, and let me just say that as a historian, I am completely wowed by the work you've put in. My wife and I are petroliana enthusiasts and we're getting ready to build our own small replica station near our house, and projects like yours are a real inspiration. Look forward to all updates!

 

[Toothaker]

Joe, I started re-reading this entire thread, in the same way I watch favorite movies over and over.

At this point, you're tearing out walls, and getting ready to hang new garage doors. Yeah, I know how the movie ends, but it's still fun to watch.

 

[JC23]

^^^ Def a happy ending!

 

[HD FLHX]

Quick update on some new office stuff. Running short on time tonight, so I'll let the pics do the talking. I went to the Promise City Iowa auction a week ago and was able to purchase some nice 5 gallon grease buckets, a prestone stand and a few other odds and ends including a 50s era Champion spark plug cleaner/tester.

20180602_155021 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180602_154653 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180602_155456 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180531_192150 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180602_164110 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180602_205656 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

Current pics of the office display. You may notice a door on the office now, I finally got around to getting an old door that came out of the hay loft at the family farm painted and hung a couple weeks ago.

20180530_210810 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180602_213624 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180602_213613 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180602_213424 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180608_114651 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20180530_210656 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

On Memorial Day I parked my old E100 Army truck out beside the station.

20180528_180133 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
2018-06-11_09-22-49 by Joe Unger, on Flickr