#95977
Thu Jun 23 2005 09:49 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,656
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OP
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A Collectors Story Jerry Thompson, Los Alamos, CA By Curt CraggI got a phone call from a gentleman on Wednesday who said that he had been reading my articles in the local newspaper and appreciated hearing the stories about the old service stations. He called me because his son had purchased a building in the small town of Los Alamos 15 miles to the north of me that was originally a service station. According to a story he had, it had been the oldest station between Santa Barbara and San Francisco when it was established. He had some pictures and the story that he wanted to share with me in case I was interested in writing a story about it. He also mentioned in passing that he was a collector of Petroliana himself, and that he especially liked Mobil. I figured that it was worth a visit to see the pictures and whatever he might have in his collection. I happened to be going that way that day and made arrangements to stop by. It turned out the pictures of the old station were very interesting, but unfortunately Xerox copies, and not fit enough to print until we locate the originals. This will be worth pursuing since the photos he has show it as a Mobil, Rio Grande, Polly and Mowhawk station (where are those signs???). In the meantime we headed out to his barn to see his collection. Like a good reporter I brought along my camera to document what I might see for my fellow hobbyist’s. Like a bad photographer, I forgot to charge my camera battery and it died after one flash photo. After drooling on myself, I made arrangements to come back today and take some pictures today. To put this in perspective, the Santa Ynez Valley is fairly small for an area in California. The total population of our small towns and outlying areas is probably around 16,000 total. Los Alamos, 15 miles to the north of here is even smaller with a population of around 2000 if you include the cats, dogs and people stopping for gas. For a collection like this to be this close to me and not know about it…well, let’s just say I was ashamed of myself. But I’ve seen it now and were companions in our compulsion and neighbors too. Thanks Jerry for sharing your collection with me and my fellow gas geeks. [This message has been edited by the poor mans museum (edited 06-24-2005).]
C Cragg
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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.
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#95978
Thu Jun 23 2005 09:57 PM
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Posts: 1,656
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OP
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C Cragg
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#95979
Thu Jun 23 2005 10:22 PM
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,970
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Nice, VERY nice! Poorman, that looks like a Pierce Arrow in the background of photo #4 behind the Buick, next time you're there, would you please ask him the year of manufacture?
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#95980
Fri Jun 24 2005 02:59 AM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 589
Petro Enthusiast
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Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 589 |
Curt, glad you went back the next day, great pics and collection.
_______________________________ Glenn Wanted: Wadhams Oil and Gas items checker006@comcast.net
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#95981
Fri Jun 24 2005 03:11 AM
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,443
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Curt , as Always ,nice job! Fantastic collection Jerry,
Chris Holt
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#95982
Fri Jun 24 2005 03:55 AM
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 12,110 Likes: 1
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WHAT A BEAUTIFUL DISPLAY OF THE GOODIES WE ALL LOVE. THE HECK WITH THE CARS ....GIVE ME THAT FRONTIER POLE SIGN. I THINK I WET MYSELF....GOTTA RUN.....THANKS.....CURT.......FOR........SHARING!!!
DOC @ TAG.WEST
DOC @ THE AMERICAN GARAGE
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#95983
Fri Jun 24 2005 05:08 AM
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 287
Petro Enthusiast
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Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 287 |
Curt,
Impressive collection! Thanks for sharing with us.
Jim
Jim Winter
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#95984
Fri Jun 24 2005 07:42 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,656
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Tom, if you're talking about the dark green car, that's around a 36 Ford Sedan. All original unrestored with 50K miles. Interior is beautiful original too. I took a picture but it was out of focus. Where's Doc when you need a decent photographer? But wait..There's More!Jerry really likes old trucks! No, I mean really old He also has some nice displays of Mobil premiums and give-aways. The Mobil neon is beautiful, but the Just Ahead sign below it was what got my attention. That's a rare sign. Hope you enjoyed the visit, I sure did. Might be time for a CCGGT (Central Coast Gas Geeks Tour).
C Cragg
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#95985
Fri Jun 24 2005 01:43 PM
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Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 1,512
Veteran Member
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Thanks PM and Jerry love looking at all the neat stuff........GREAT JOB PM. ................ REX LIKES MOBIL
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#95986
Fri Jun 24 2005 04:43 PM
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 9,346
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That is a super collection. Thanks for the pics they are great
Wanted Owens Motor Oil & Mobiloil Gargoyle. Brad Ralston & my website is www.petrobarn.com
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#95987
Fri Jun 24 2005 06:39 PM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 671
Petro Enthusiast
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Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 671 |
2COOL Poor Man... Great job as always... Any more eye candy by chance???
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#95988
Fri Jun 24 2005 07:25 PM
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 539 Likes: 2
Petro Enthusiast
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Petro Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 539 Likes: 2 |
I'm in awe. What a nice collection. The Pierce Arrow is the yellow roadster w/ white top under the Frontier sign. These have the distinctive headlights molded into the front fenders. Looks like late twenties.
------------------ ROD [Mich.]
ROD [Mich.]
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#95989
Fri Jun 24 2005 08:22 PM
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,951 Likes: 1
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Hey Curt, good idea about the tour. Set it up after Mendenhalls . I can't wait. Don ------------------ Don "oltoydoc" Sherwood Vintage Gas
Don "oltoydoc" Sherwood oltoydoc@vintagegas.com (310)415-9562 Cel. Vintage Gas
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#95990
Sat Jun 25 2005 09:11 PM
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 842 Likes: 2
Moderator
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Moderator
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 842 Likes: 2 |
Great pictures Curt!! Never met Jerry, but I'm sure he's both smart AND good looking!! I think it was Rex who told me that's a trait shared by all red horse collectors......
Richard
Richard Weir Corinth, Texas
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#95991
Sun Jun 26 2005 07:19 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,656
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OP
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For you good looking Pegasus collectors I will add a few more photos although I'm scratching the bottom of the barrel. I always think that I've taken so many pictures until I get home and see what I actually have. Some are out of focus or off angle, or I wonder "why did I take a picture of that?" or "why didn't I take a picture of that?" Well, here's a few more and just know that I'm a better writer than I am a photographer (and that's not saying much). [This message has been edited by the poor mans museum (edited 06-26-2005).]
C Cragg
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