The seeds were sowed last winter when I asked a simple question at a local station. I asked about an Echo Tireflator in passing when collecting info. for a local project.
Flash forward to early this month. I get a call one day out of the blue from one of the station owners in reguards to the air machine I inquired about and it was mine if I was still interested.
A week later. I arrive in the station to put more money down on the machine and in conversation with the brother (co-owner) I am hit with this fast breaking news that the brothers have made a deal with a local car dealer to sell the property after being approached with an offer to sell the property. I'm now being given a whirlwind tour as to all the planned changes to the building and the property. The brother giving the tour will be staying on as a mechanic and the other will be moving on to some other line of work until retirement.
The converstion turns to "things need to go" and I'm being shown things of interest and I offer to purchase these things if they will be unwanted. He tells me he doesn't care but I'll need to check back with his brother in case he plans on keeping some of these things.
Days later. I check back and the other brother is in and says to get these things collected up now because with everything going on, he wants to be sure that I get what I'm interested in. The pumps are already gone, as well as the canopy and the de-branding has already taken place.
I must tell you at this point, my head is spinning and I have mixed feelings with this whole situation. I'm very sad to see this local town icon that has been at this location since the '30's becoming the end of an era. I suddenly feel this urge to get some pics for posterity. On the other hand, I'm being given a priceless opportunity to aquire some things from the source that may be a once in a lifetime chance and a chance to save a piece of town history from being lost forever.
You may remember some of the pics I had up of this station before, but I thought I'd go through some of it again for those that don't.
One of the earliest photos when it was branded and built by Altlantic
If you look carelully on the far left of this picture about halfway up the side of the builing you will note the ladies and men bathroom signs. I note this for a reason.
Last winter images. Grey 2 story in the back was added and was actually the family residence on the second floor at one time.
The air machine can be seen on the side.
Taken just the other day of the once drive through bay that had a lub pit (now filled in) and all the hub caps on the other wall