Old Gas Stations
Posting Guru
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Colorado
I worked at a Phillips 66 station during high school (1969 thru 1973), full service was the rule, even after we started a row of self service pumps. Like Dono, regular or ethyl, washing windshields, etc. I started working there for $1.25 an hour, pumped gas for as low as 19 cents/gal. for regular when we had gas wars.
Anyone remember the Gates Mystery Motorist? I think that is what they called him. He went from station to station seeing if the attendants would check both radiator hoses and fan belts, and recommend replacement of a bad one? If you "caught" him, you got a prize. At one time the prize was 5 silver dollars as well as recognition. I met up witih him twice, caught him once. Other time we had a good debate as to whether he really needed a new fan belt at that time. Had I been smart, I would NOT have argued!!! I knew who he was at the time, but I didn't think the belts were bad enough.....DUH! ! !
Anyone remember the Gates Mystery Motorist? I think that is what they called him. He went from station to station seeing if the attendants would check both radiator hoses and fan belts, and recommend replacement of a bad one? If you "caught" him, you got a prize. At one time the prize was 5 silver dollars as well as recognition. I met up witih him twice, caught him once. Other time we had a good debate as to whether he really needed a new fan belt at that time. Had I been smart, I would NOT have argued!!! I knew who he was at the time, but I didn't think the belts were bad enough.....DUH! ! !
New User
Joined: Jan 2008
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Don, I too did all those jobs for $0.50 hour but the service staions I worked at were all within 1 block of home .
I still have my Shell,B/A,Gulf,White Rose, Patches there on my jacket.
The last time I pumped gasoline was for $1.15/hour in 1969 and had ther graveyard shift (sucked big time) at a Highway Station west of Calgary.
I still have my Shell,B/A,Gulf,White Rose, Patches there on my jacket.
The last time I pumped gasoline was for $1.15/hour in 1969 and had ther graveyard shift (sucked big time) at a Highway Station west of Calgary.
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2006
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From: North Central Florida
I remember, as a teen, using a hand crank pump at an old station in town. You'd fill the glass cylinder on top then drain the gas into your tank.
I also remember gas wars and when gas stations were service stations. Guess the term gas wars have taken on a whole new meaning now. Ooos...
I also remember gas wars and when gas stations were service stations. Guess the term gas wars have taken on a whole new meaning now. Ooos...
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Louisville,Ky.
Telling my age here,,,(46 in April)
I remember gas at $.379!
I also remember Marion Bare's GULF station and his 1941 Ford Snubnosed 1.5 ton Tow Truck "Mr.Mighty" Seen a few times he would rebuild the FlatHead V8 in it! Local Towing company has it, Claiming to being "RESTORED", 10 years and it's not done yet!
I pass several old stations like that when I was trucking,(including the old Rt. 66) still see 2 on my runs now. 1 is used as a concrete lawn decorations place in Gentryville,In. and the other is in Reo,In. as a store.
I remember gas at $.379!
I also remember Marion Bare's GULF station and his 1941 Ford Snubnosed 1.5 ton Tow Truck "Mr.Mighty" Seen a few times he would rebuild the FlatHead V8 in it! Local Towing company has it, Claiming to being "RESTORED", 10 years and it's not done yet!
I pass several old stations like that when I was trucking,(including the old Rt. 66) still see 2 on my runs now. 1 is used as a concrete lawn decorations place in Gentryville,In. and the other is in Reo,In. as a store.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2006
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Originally Posted by Old Tired Rebel
I remember them myself. I use to get a free glass when my Dad filled up and got a tiger's tail one time from the Esso dealer.
Remember "Pegasus" the flying red horse?
Also remember our ESSO dealer had bulk oil in a drum measured out in glass quart jars with a metal spout. Mom's '49 Plymouth used lots of that bulk oil. The '53 Chevy did better but still liked it's oil too.
Ford Parts Specialist
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Simi Valley, CA
Originally Posted by Keepin It Real
Oh, yeah. And oil came in quart cans...you had to push the metal spout thing into the top.
You can trust your car to the man who wears the star, the big red Texaco star.
Summer Shell is here.
You go farther with Signal.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Louisville,Ky.
Originally Posted by MuddyAxles
You had a "Tiger in your tank!"
Remember "Pegasus" the flying red horse?
Also remember our ESSO dealer had bulk oil in a drum measured out in glass quart jars with a metal spout. Mom's '49 Plymouth used lots of that bulk oil. The '53 Chevy did better but still liked it's oil too.
Remember "Pegasus" the flying red horse?
Also remember our ESSO dealer had bulk oil in a drum measured out in glass quart jars with a metal spout. Mom's '49 Plymouth used lots of that bulk oil. The '53 Chevy did better but still liked it's oil too.
Sinclair, and the GREEN DINOSAUR !
TEXACO FIRE CHIEF GASOLINE!
Saw this on the side of old wrecker,,, "OPEN 23 HRS. A DAY, I GOTTA SLEEP SOMETIME!"
Last edited by Autoglass; Mar 9, 2007 at 06:35 PM.
Gone but not forgotten.
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 6,521
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Originally Posted by Keepin It Real
Anybody remember the aluminum drinking tumblers that came in several bright colors they used to give away? How about S&H Green Stamps?
Posting Guru
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From: SW Arizona
That website brought back some memories. When I first moved to Bouse, there was an old gas station that still has those "bubble top" and so did a station just as you came into Parker. These got sold to collectors, I understand.
Rikfish, my high school days were 65 to 69 and remember when gas was 22-23 cents a gallon. Less in some areas. "Self serve" was unknown. S&H green stamps, aluminum cups and all sorts of other "giveaways" too. The "Pegasus" too.
There was one old gas station in Bythe California with "Ben Hur" as it's title when I moved to Ehrenberg across the Colorado back in 72. My husband and I would go to Blythe for shopping as it was closer than Parker.
Rikfish, my high school days were 65 to 69 and remember when gas was 22-23 cents a gallon. Less in some areas. "Self serve" was unknown. S&H green stamps, aluminum cups and all sorts of other "giveaways" too. The "Pegasus" too.
There was one old gas station in Bythe California with "Ben Hur" as it's title when I moved to Ehrenberg across the Colorado back in 72. My husband and I would go to Blythe for shopping as it was closer than Parker.