Oldgas.com Home  

Click here for Original Gas Pump Plate auction listings

Home | Help | Events | Auctions | Parts | Pictures | Links | Contact
Previous Thread
Next Thread
Print Thread
#761775 Mon Mar 15 2021 07:37 PM
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 9
Active Member
OP Offline
Active Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 9
I recently posted a picture of my Grandpa's old shell station in "Great Old Pics" and promised to share if I found more.

A little history...
He was machinist's mate during the war and piloted landing craft during D-Day. After the war he decided to put his mechanical skills to use. His station was at the corner of Cummings St. and Clinton Ave. in Irvington, New Jersey. Originally, it was a single bay garage with an additional lift outside. In the early 60's the station was remodeled to a double bay garage. This allowed my Gandpa (Charlie) and Uncle Walter to work simultaneously without one of them having to work outside in the snow, which is how it was done until then. Uncle Walt lived in the 3 story apartment building on the other corner of Cummings St. and Clinton Ave. Charlie lived at 10 Cummings right across from the station, later moving to 22 cummings. They serviced all the vehicles for the locals on cummings street.

Side story, my Grandpa would go work before breakfast. On one day he left the Schrader valve open on a tire he had to replace and went home for breakfast. When he went back and popped in the tire spoons in he didn't realize the air hadn't completely emptied. The resulting bang sent the steelie into his face. Uncle Walter heard the bang at home and ran over and slowed the bleeding until the ambulance got there. Shattered all the teeth in the left side of his mouth, broken jaw and gash from below the eye to the bottom of the jaw. He survived after doctors called the priest for last rites twice. After that he was bit of local legend and the resulting scar likened him to Capone.

Charles_Walter_Billy_April_1958.jpg Charles.jpg Walter.jpg Walter_53.jpg

Always looking for new toppers...
2 members like this: Gasman84470, RetroPetro
Value Questions and Showcase forums

Please - NO offers to Buy or Sell in this forum category

Statements such as, "I'm thinking about selling this." are considered an offer to sell.
Nate8900 #761777 Mon Mar 15 2021 07:45 PM
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 9
Active Member
OP Offline
Active Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 9
The 57 Bel Air belonged to Gunther (or Gint as the locals called him). My Grandfather rented out the empty space for parking. The people who worked downtown would park there where their vehicles were safe. Gint worked at the local German butcher shop. Charlie is the stout look'n man that I don't think is ever pictured without a cigar or pipe. Uncle Walt is the other man. And my Dad rounds out the first pic. Group shot is June 58. I believe the winter shots are 1954.


Always looking for new toppers...
Nate8900 #761778 Mon Mar 15 2021 07:48 PM
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 9
Active Member
OP Offline
Active Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 9
My dad playing in the snow out front of the old garage, 1954. Last pic is my dad June of 69 working at the autoparts store, shortly before leaving for the Navy.

Billy_1_54.jpg Billy_3_54.jpg Billy_2_54.jpg Dad_Autoparts_Jan_1969.jpg

Always looking for new toppers...
Nate8900 #761779 Mon Mar 15 2021 07:50 PM
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 9
Active Member
OP Offline
Active Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 9
Also pictured is the backend of my Grandpa's Studebaker, 1950 Champion.

Last edited by Nate8900; Mon Mar 15 2021 07:50 PM.

Always looking for new toppers...
Nate8900 #761780 Mon Mar 15 2021 07:52 PM
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 9
Active Member
OP Offline
Active Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 9
Dad and Grandpa at the new station, early 60s.

Charles_Dad_60s.jpg Charles_1_60s.jpg Charles_2_60s.jpg Charles_3_60s.jpg

Always looking for new toppers...
Nate8900 #761781 Mon Mar 15 2021 08:00 PM
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 9
Active Member
OP Offline
Active Member
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 33
Likes: 9
Black and white of the new station, early 60s. Shell decided to put in a larger station at some point which ended the garage and my Grandfather's involvement. The last edition's remnants are pictured below, what it looks like today. Last pic is my oil can collection, not a fancy as some on here but the first can I bought is the X-100 that matched the pictures of my Grandpa's old shop.

Charles_New_Station_60s.jpg Today.JPG 20210315_174936.jpg

Always looking for new toppers...
Nate8900 #761783 Mon Mar 15 2021 08:22 PM
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 88
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,757
Likes: 88
What a great family photo album! Thanks for sharing. I do remember that Shell yellow and white paint scheme on the pumps of that era.


Regards, Jim

I collect gas pump salt and pepper shakers
and the plastic coin banks made by AVSCO.
Nate8900 #761795 Tue Mar 16 2021 10:34 AM
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,639
Likes: 42
Veteran Member
Online Content
Veteran Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 4,639
Likes: 42
Very cool,thanks for sharing all these photos & stories.


Collecting Vintage Sunoco
Nate8900 #761831 Tue Mar 16 2021 10:42 PM
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,983
Likes: 106
Veteran Member
Offline
Veteran Member
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,983
Likes: 106
Very cool pics and story.


-Steve B. (WTB: 48" Flying A button, 48" black/org Phillips 66, White Star, and Chevrolet Signs. Also looking for a Wayne 866. Send a PM. Thanks.)

Moderated by  Oldgas, Ryan Underthun 

Link Copied to Clipboard

Click here for Gas Pump auction listings

Copyright © 2023 Primarily Petroliana Interactive, All Rights Reserved

Powered by UBB.threads™ PHP Forum Software 7.7.5