Old gas stations

GHT · May 20, 2018

In support of both the rejuvenation of the Petrol Station and in recognition of the Motoring Heritage of Newport Pagnell, the original Woad Corner, planned development is for the tasteful refurbishment and the construction of iconic period buildings to provide an environment for Historic motor cars and fine automobilia.
Recreating the Romance and Glamour of Motoring of the 1950’s and 60’s, Newport Pagnell will be the home of the first permanent Woad Corner - a Shell Retro Petrol Filling Station that will be a show piece for the Shell Heritage Collection and the first fully functional period petrol station to be recreated for 60 years.
http://www.woadcorner.com/location-newport-pagnell/

2jakes · May 21, 2018

The intersection of Verdugo Road and Fletcher Drive had the distinction of having 22 traffic signal lights.

GHT · May 21, 2018

2jakes said:
View attachment 119570

The intersection of Verdugo Road and Fletcher Drive had the distinction of having 22 traffic signal lights.

Only 22, or Catch 22?

Welcome to revamped Canford Bottom - with its SEVENTY traffic lights:

The sailing event for the 2012 Olympics were held at the coastal town of Weymouth. The last fifty miles or so to Weymouth from London and the East & South East of the country is two way traffic, the road really needed to be made a duel carriageway. But time and money made this impossible. The most notorious junction, that the route runs through, is called Canford Bottom. The "improvement," to this junction allowed traffic to run through the roundabout (traffic circle.) But in order to do that the six exit junction had to be controlled by traffic lights.
There are so many lights that I can't find a ground shot with them all in. Adding to that problem is the amount of traffic the junction has generated has obscured the traffic lights for the purpose of photographing them. Did it improve traffic flows? Read the first paragraph or so of the BBC's report. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-18518611

Benzadmiral · May 21, 2018

LizzieMaine said:
I'm guessing that photo was taken in the UK before 1971, and that the numbers are in fact the price -- five shillings elevenpence for the premium and six shillings even for the Super-Special. That apostrophe is actually an alternate way of writing a "/" or shilling-mark.

That was my first thought; I seemed to recall that as a variant on the "3s. 6d." style that is still being used today, but I couldn't verify it.

Benzadmiral · May 21, 2018

LizzieMaine said:
With the closing of my neighborhood gas station/c-store earlier this year, there is now no public air pump, free or not, anywhere in this town of over 7000 people. That's insane.

I can't remember when I saw a free air pump at a gas station. Almost all the pumps cost $1.00 to operate, and unless you move with the speed of the Flash, you can't fill up all your tires before the bell goes off. There goes another $1.00. Sorry, no.

Miss Linda bought me a portable air compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter, and I carry it everywhere in the trunk of my car.

2jakes · May 21, 2018

Benzadmiral said:
I can't remember when I saw a free air pump at a gas station. Almost all the pumps cost $1.00 to operate, and unless you move with the speed of the Flash, you can't fill up all your tires before the bell goes off. There goes another $1.00. Sorry, no.

Miss Linda bought me a portable air compressor that plugs into the cigarette lighter, and I carry it everywhere in the trunk of my car.

Besides the air pump, there was also
a water hose by the gas pumps.
Checking the oil, tires and cleaning the windows was a service provided
for free while your tank was being
filled. I remember that.
When self-service came around,
there was still the air pump & water hoses but you had to do this yourself.
Today at my Mobil station, the air pump has been moved towards the area by the garage where they service your car. It's still free.
Not sure how long this will last though.

Benzadmiral · May 21, 2018

2jakes said:
Besides the air pump, there was also
a water hose by the gas pumps.
Checking the oil, tires and cleaning the windows was a service provided
for free while your tank was being
filled. I remember that.
When self-service came around,
there was still the air pump & water hoses but you had to do this yourself.
Today at my Mobil station, the air pump has been moved towards the area by the garage where they service your car. It's still free.
Not sure how long this will last though.

Patronize the place as often as you can, and let your friends know about it too!

2jakes · May 21, 2018

1mach1 · May 22, 2018

2jakes said:
View attachment 119719
View attachment 119716
View attachment 119715
View attachment 119718 View attachment 119717

I like that Shell air compressor

GHT · May 22, 2018

1mach1 said:
I like that Shell air compressor

I want one.

Ghostsoldier · May 22, 2018

Rob

Fading Fast · May 22, 2018

Ghostsoldier said:

Sharp car, looks "Buick-y" to me, but the script on the front fender doesn't seem to say that - anyone know what it is?

GHT · May 22, 2018

Today we fill up our cars with petrol from pumps at filling stations, but for the first 25 years of British motoring such things didn't exist. Instead, you could only buy petrol in two-gallon cans from chemists, hardware shops and hotels, as well as from garages. Then petrol filling stations began to appear. Surviving with its petrol pumps intact, the West End Garage in Turnastone, Herefordshire is one of the earliest of these and is now Grade II-listed.

Ghostsoldier · May 22, 2018

It looks like an early 60s Skylark, to me.

Fading Fast said:
Sharp car, looks "Buick-y" to me, but the script on the front fender doesn't seem to say that - anyone know what it is?

Rob

2jakes · May 22, 2018

Ghostsoldier said:
It looks like an early 60s Skylark, to me.

Rob

1962 Buick Skylark.

Fading Fast · May 22, 2018

Ghostsoldier said:
It looks like an early 60s Skylark, to me.

Rob

2jakes said:
1962 Buick Skylark.
View attachment 119854

Thank you gentlemen. Any idea what the script in the front part of the fender says (it's in Ghostsoldier's pic, but it's not there in 2Jakes')? My best guess (after stretching my screen as much as I can) is "Custom," but it is really blurry.

It's a really nice looking car.

2jakes · May 22, 2018

Fading Fast said:
Thank you gentlemen. Any idea what the script in the front part of the fender says (it's in Ghostsoldier's pic, but it's not there in 2Jakes')? My best guess (after stretching my screen as much as I can) is "Custom," but it is really blurry.

It's a really nice looking car.

On first glance, I thought it was either Chrysler or Cougar on the side.
But it might be “Custom" for a special Skylark!
I’m just guessing.
As commissioner, I might have to take more drastic actions!
(Although she might be taking her afternoon siesta)
I don’t want to bother her if that's the case.

ZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!

Poor dear she must’ve had a rough weekend!

2jakes · May 22, 2018

I don’t see new buildings “advertising” like the ones from the
past with regards to fire or air-conditioning!

1955mercury · May 22, 2018

Fading Fast said:
Sharp car, looks "Buick-y" to me, but the script on the front fender doesn't seem to say that - anyone know what it is?

It's a 1961 Buick Century convertible.

3fingers · May 23, 2018

2jakes said:
View attachment 119907
View attachment 119908
View attachment 119909
I don’t see new buildings “advertising” like the ones from the
past with regards to fire or air-conditioning!

Hotel fires were not a rare occurence years ago. When they happened, it usually involved a substantial death toll. Brick and concrete construction with firestops gave people a feeling of security even before sprinkler systems
As far as air conditioning goes, even a young pup such as myself can remember when a night of sleeping in air conditioning was a big deal.

Old gas stations

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

Call Me a Cab

Call Me a Cab

I'll Lock Up

Call Me a Cab

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

Call Me a Cab

I'll Lock Up

Call Me a Cab

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

I'll Lock Up

One of the Regulars

One Too Many

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