Modernist Gas Stations – The Garage Journal

L

Lou's Garage

Well-known member

Aug 21, 2009

#2

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

S

Snappy

Well-known member

Aug 21, 2009

#3

I love the good 'ole days. "Service" station guys would pump your gas,check your oil and clean the windshield. I'm also fond of the vintage gas pumps. Thanks for the cool pic of the Esso station :thumbup:

F

Flathead Red

Well-known member

Aug 21, 2009

#4

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

Last edited: Aug 21, 2009

H

hydramatic

Well-known member

Aug 21, 2009

#5

Thanks Ryan...back in the day...my dad would say, In every croud, there`s an esso bee.!!!!!!!!!!

S

speedfreak81

Member

Aug 21, 2009

#6

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........

T

tcianci

Well-known member

Aug 22, 2009

#7

'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.

S

speedfreak81

Member

Aug 24, 2009

#8

tcianci said:
'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.

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. :thumbup:

S

Stuart in MN

Well-known member

Aug 24, 2009

#9

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

T

tcianci

Well-known member

Aug 25, 2009

#10

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!

R

rburke65

Well-known member

Aug 25, 2009

#11

EPA,local fire and electrical codes...........I have to think they are not going to allow them to be used.

T

Titus

Well-known member

Sep 2, 2009

#12

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.

C

carguyy

New member

Sep 18, 2009

#13

I absolutely love the paint job on that station. Really cool looking.

Paint Booth Guy

F

floridaguy

Well-known member

Mar 12, 2010

#14

These gas stations had so much style.

P

PassnThru

Well-known member

Mar 12, 2010

#15

tcianci said:
'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.

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.

D

ddawg16

Well-known member

Mar 12, 2010

#16

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.

T

tonydanzah

Well-known member

Mar 12, 2010

#17

what is the geodesic dome doing in the background of the first pic?

F

floridaguy

Well-known member

Mar 12, 2010

#18

ddawg16 said:
Back in 'the day'? I was back in the day.....

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....

The only thing I miss is my dad...the rest are memories that are welcome to stay memories.

This should bring back memories

N

Nuts

Well-known member

Mar 13, 2010

#19

The B-17 Bomber in Portland Oregon is a classic, sadly many parts missing now.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/2968

Nuts

G

gary300

Well-known member

Mar 13, 2010

#20

ddawg16 said:
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.