1935 Gas Station Resurrection

[DynoDave]

Fantastic!

 

[Bears Fan]

Wow! The 53 and the station look awesome out in the sun and the photo's are very high quality

 

[HD FLHX]

I came on here to answer a quick pm and figured I would show some of the progress that has been made on the mural.

20190723_235554 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20190724_000409 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

 

[PugetDude]

Looks good, Joe; thanks for the update!
It always amazes me how these mural artists can do such a good job on a multi-dimensional surface.

 

[shortykorte]

That’s looking fantastic. What a great addition to your station and the town.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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[HD FLHX]

Another quick update on the mural progress. Shawn spent the afternoon working on the dash. Since the shape is very similar to the dash in my 53 we used the gauge cluster in it for inspiration. This pic is in direct sunlight so it really shows off the colors. I'm beyond thrilled with it, he has well exceeded every expectation I had for it and is truly a work of art.

2019-07-25_07-51-19 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

 

[Toolfool]

You said it !! The mural is coming along beautifully. Makes me wish I had a big wall to paint.

 

[DynoDave]

Makes me wish I had a big wall to paint.

I was thinking the same thing!

 

[japacejr]

Wow! Incredible!

I have lost track of how many hours it took me to read all 99 pages. I read the first 40, jumped to page 95 and read to the end, and then had to go back and read 40 thru 95 just to see how you got there.

“He who works with his hands is a laborer.
He who works with his hands and his head is a craftsman.
He who works with his hands and his head and his heart is an artist.”

― Saint Francis of Assisi​

You sir, are an artist.

-Chip

 

[shortykorte]

You said it !! The mural is coming along beautifully. Makes me wish I had a big wall to paint.

Is 20’x40’ big enough? Let’s talk.

Joe, mural is definitely one of several cherries on top when it come to your place.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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[rmalkow2]

The mural is looking great!

 

[xtremek]

Looking good

 

[HD FLHX]

Well for once the weather cooperated this week the mural was finished late Friday afternoon. Pictured with it is the artist, Shawn Palek. It gives you a sense of its size. I'm thrilled with it. My whole idea behind this was for a piece that had a vintage billboard advertising feel.

20190726_160014 by Joe Unger, on Flickr


And of course I had to pull the Customline out for a pic with it before someone else beat me to it.

20190727_111910 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
2019-07-27_04-16-29 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

 

[captain14]

Fantastic job! What’s his next project in town?

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Awesome

 

[Finallygotit]

That is awesome!

 

[PugetDude]

Joe, that looks GREAT! Awesome addition to the project.
Was Clarence the model for the mural?

 

[shortykorte]

That is awesome and a lot bigger than I was thinking. Mr. Palek is an artist.
Smart move getting the first car pic. Someone might have to install a driveway just so cars can pull through for a memento pic.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[T-handle]

That mural is a great piece of art Your thread is amazing too. I've gone thru it many times

 

[BORING HOP YARD]

It came out so nice with a wonderful vintage flare.

 

[Toolfool]

Beautiful.
I look at that mural and wonder how many people won't understand what the station attendant is actually doing, as they've never witnessed that service.

 

[PugetDude]

Beautiful.
I look at that mural and wonder how many people won't understand what the station attendant is actually doing, as they've never witnessed that service.

I paid for my first two years of college doing that.

 

[Loose Ctrl]

Beautiful.
I look at that mural and wonder how many people won't understand what the station attendant is actually doing, as they've never witnessed that service.

I agree. I was seven years old when our last full-service station went out of business. I miss Mr. Gains and going to his station. It was a 76 station. He passed away when I was in my early teens. He ran his station alone for the last few years it was open. They had to make him give it up.

 

[redisthefastestcolour]

Really great!

 

[Jon In Tucson]

That looks great! Remember my days working in a Sinclair station while in high school.
Jon In Tucson

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[Bob Heine]

I always wondered what the attendants used in their windshield wash buckets. It was always brown and looked like a bucket of mud but a couple of swipes with a scrubby and a wipe with a wore-out old rag (same brown color) and the windshield was clean and clear. I never mastered the art the few times I helped out at the Shell and Gulf stations near home.

 

[shortykorte]

Beautiful.
I look at that mural and wonder how many people won't understand what the station attendant is actually doing, as they've never witnessed that service.

As someone with thousands of windshields under his belt while wearing Texaco green, I know exactly what I was doing as a teenager...working at a station next to a university....during the woman’s lib movement, cleaning the windshield for a better view. The trade off for all the love bug coated windshields.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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[PugetDude]

As someone with thousands of windshields under his belt while wearing Texaco green, I know exactly what I was doing as a teenager...working at a station next to a university....during the woman’s lib movement, cleaning the windshield for a better view. The trade off for all the love bug coated windshields.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

Same here, shortykorte. Worked at a full-service Texaco station in KC in the early 1970's; we had a few bored? housewives that would stop by for gas (usually only needed two or three gallons to top off) and their windshield cleaned. We knew whose windshields were the most fun to wash...and always made sure we did a thorough job, closely inspecting the glass from all angles.

 

[madison069]

I always wondered what the attendants used in their windshield wash buckets. It was always brown and looked like a bucket of mud but a couple of swipes with a scrubby and a wipe with a wore-out old rag (same brown color) and the windshield was clean and clear. I never mastered the art the few times I helped out at the Shell and Gulf stations near home.

It was bug guts.

I worked at a full service station while in college, this was in 2006. I cleaned my bucket out every night and new fluid was put in it during the morning. Also we used the handled brush with the rubber edge on the back during this time. I like to think I got pretty good at cleaning windshields but using just rags is a art.


I dig the art work on the building as I'm sure the rest of the town does too!

 

[MrR3hab]

Fantastic project!
Watching w/great interest.

Q: Is the tall, shared wall above the large display window and the flower basket available for signage for your place?
It’s a great backdrop with lots of visibility.


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[HD FLHX]

Fantastic job! What’s his next project in town?

He will be doing a Military tribute piece in a plaza about a block away in honor of a local marine we lost in Afghanistan in 2010.

Joe, that looks GREAT! Awesome addition to the project.
Was Clarence the model for the mural?

Not really, but I when I started thinking about what to do I wanted a piece that centered around the station attendant. Its such an iconic symbol of service stations

Beautiful.
I look at that mural and wonder how many people won't understand what the station attendant is actually doing, as they've never witnessed that service.

As with a lot of the station, its a conversion piece that allows the older generation to remember the good old days with kids today.

 

[xtremek]

^what they said.

 

[HD FLHX]

I was going to post these last night, but for whatever reason Flickr wouldn't cooperate . Anyways I met with a reporter from The Perry Chief Tuesday morning for an interview about the mural. I haven't seen the full article yet, but here is the front page preview

IMG_20190731_054217 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
2019-08-01_10-35-11 by Joe Unger, on Flickr


Right after the interview on my way home I pass an old Chevy wrecker that I have never seen around before. I pulled a quick u-turn and chased him down. Turned out to be a retired body shop owner from town. He just finished getting the old chevy back on the road. It has a hand crank weaver boom in it. I talked him to bringing it by for a couple quick pics. As we were talking he started telling me about how his Dad owned one of the three Sinclair Stations that were in town back in the 40s & 50s. I gave a quick tour of the building.

20190730_115827 by Joe Unger, on Flickr
20190731_000401 by Joe Unger, on Flickr


Sunday was a busy day also as a local high school girl came down and done a photo session around the station for her senior pics. I pulled the '53 out and let them use it as a prop. While they were out front doing some pics around the pumps I snapped this pic. Which I feel is post worthy.


20190729_163428 by Joe Unger, on Flickr

 

[shortykorte]

Nice write up on mural. Killer tow truck.


Shorty Korte
Always remember quality in QST

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[XJSuperman]

I swung by on Sunday just as the senior pics were getting ready to start. Joe was kind enough to chat for a moment and let me have a look around. The place is every bit as amazing in person as it seems on here guys. His paint and body work are possibly the best I have ever seen, so I am very glad to have him painting for us Deere guys. The collection of memorabilia is jaw-dropping in person, all tucked into that tiny front room where you have to seriously watch your step there is so much to see. It would take a good 20 minutes to really look closely at everything in there, but that amount of time would make your head spin before you finished.

I got out of there so as to not be anymore under-foot than I already was, but next time Ill try and get pics with a car out front.

 

[ANGRYBEARD]

Very cool

 

[53PontiacSD]

Man oh man!!! That is a really nice wrecker. There used to be a mechanic shop here in town that had one of those for years. If I remember right it was a dark green. Would look good in front of the station. I'll see if it's still around.

 

[xtremek]

Cool news about the article. There's something awesome about small town America that just can't be put into words or pictures. Glad I live in one.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I'm staying in the Hotel Pattee in Perry tonight, it's one block up the street from Joe's building. He had other plans today so I didn't get to meet him, but I did check the place out. It is an amazing space.

Perry seems like a real nice little town - it's kind of like Mayberry RFD. Walking around downtown, there was a farmer's market going on, and I saw a movie theatre, a five and dime store, and even a dry goods store. There's even a little popcorn stand across the street from the hotel.

If you haven't seen the photos of the hotel that were posted earlier in this thread, check out their website - it's an impressive place.

I took some photos as well, I'll post them in a few days when I get home.

 

[HD FLHX]

I swung by on Sunday just as the senior pics were getting ready to start. Joe was kind enough to chat for a moment and let me have a look around. The place is every bit as amazing in person as it seems on here guys. His paint and body work are possibly the best I have ever seen, so I am very glad to have him painting for us Deere guys. The collection of memorabilia is jaw-dropping in person, all tucked into that tiny front room where you have to seriously watch your step there is so much to see. It would take a good 20 minutes to really look closely at everything in there, but that amount of time would make your head spin before you finished.

I got out of there so as to not be anymore under-foot than I already was, but next time Ill try and get pics with a car out front.

I hated that your visit was cut short, but I am glad you had a chance to look around before they got started with the photo session.

I'm staying in the Hotel Pattee in Perry tonight, it's one block up the street from Joe's building. He had other plans today so I didn't get to meet him, but I did check the place out. It is an amazing space.

Perry seems like a real nice little town - it's kind of like Mayberry RFD. Walking around downtown, there was a farmer's market going on, and I saw a movie theatre, a five and dime store, and even a dry goods store. There's even a little popcorn stand across the street from the hotel.

If you haven't seen the photos of the hotel that were posted earlier in this thread, check out their website - it's an impressive place.

I took some photos as well, I'll post them in a few days when I get home.

Stuart I hope you enjoyed your stay at the hotel & Perry treated you well.




The Chief made the mural story available online yesterday.

https://www.theperrychief.com/news/20190804/sinclair-building-gets-update-with-vintage-mural?fbclid=IwAR1bf3byyuTUjWTq7PuZsgN_grw0bo0HceS_cinnPuDge9RQ8gI_FVAvdk8