A blog which supplements my two books, Menasha, and Neenah and Menasha: Twin Cities of the Fox Valley
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Downtown 1958
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Racing Car Service
November 13, 1950, Appleton Post-Crescent
I'm assuming the gimmick here is the promise of fast service, not unlike something performed by a pit crew at the Indianapolis 500, for example, but something just as thorough as if it took hours to perform.
This harkens to the time when, instead of "gas stations" we had "service stations". When you drove up to the pump, there were rubber hoses on the ground that, when driven over, rang a bell inside the building and alerted the attendants of your arrival. Usually before you were stopped one or more, sometimes uniformed, young men men were at your driver's window, ready to do as you requested. This could include pumping your gas, checking oil and other levels, tire pressure, and more. Washing your windshield was usually done without even asking. I worked for a time at the station where 3rd Street Diner is now. I drove a 57 Buick, which had a gas filler behind the left tail light. I, at 17 years old, prided myself on knowing where cars in this era hid the gas caps. When one of these drove in I would go right to the place and find it, then look up and smile at the driver looking at me in the rear view mirror, impressed that this kid knew where to look.
Just an indicator of how old the underground tanks are at that location! Lol
ReplyDeleteThis harkens to the time when, instead of "gas stations" we had "service stations". When you drove up to the pump, there were rubber hoses on the ground that, when driven over, rang a bell inside the building and alerted the attendants of your arrival. Usually before you were stopped one or more, sometimes uniformed, young men men were at your driver's window, ready to do as you requested. This could include pumping your gas, checking oil and other levels, tire pressure, and more. Washing your windshield was usually done without even asking.
ReplyDeleteI worked for a time at the station where 3rd Street Diner is now. I drove a 57 Buick, which had a gas filler behind the left tail light. I, at 17 years old, prided myself on knowing where cars in this era hid the gas caps. When one of these drove in I would go right to the place and find it, then look up and smile at the driver looking at me in the rear view mirror, impressed that this kid knew where to look.
Nice memories, Wally!
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