Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Where Does All This Information Come From?

I'm new to the hobby as I've only been collecting for about a year and a half. Of all the resources available to a new collector, oldgas.com is among the best. However, I'm noticing that people on this website rarely cite their sources of information.

It's great that folks know right off the top of their head the answers to all sorts of things petroliana related, but for the newbie, it would be helpful if people would simply state where they got their information from so that others may go and read what they have read.

When you answer someone's question, or provide general knowledge on a subject, you need to back up what you're saying by citing where or how you came upon that information in order for others to effectively decipher the real info from the bogus. A simple book title and page number would suffice. If you heard it from your grandad, say so. Maybe an older petroliana mentor relayed the info to you. Let us know.

Anybody can go find some false info online, copy and paste it, and then perpetuate incorrect information and further hinder the progression of knowledge for the newbies out here.

In addition, I know that a lot of people love to copy a quote straight out of a book and then post it as their own original work. I guess they think it makes them seem really smart, but actually it's little more than plagiarism. This is what aggravates me the most!

I'll cite my sources of info each and every time I relay information to others on this site. If we can get others to do the same, I feel it will serve to greatly enhance the potential and usefulness of oldgas.com

Youngbuck.I am sure you are going to receive tons of helpful info with your questions.I went back thru thousands of pages of info and can't seem to find this info.Good luck. Mark

A lot of peoples information comes from experience. After a while, it is easy for some people to spot certain fake signs pretty easy. How do you cite how you know a sign is fake? A new example of a fake sign made today will not be in a book printed five years ago but to a trained eye, it can be easy to tell. I have about 30 books on the petro hobby, some have mistakes in them. Hearing something from grandpa relies on his memory, I know mine is gettign worse as I get older.
I understand the point you are trying to make but do not see how someone with say 20 years of experience can cite his source of info for all his post. When I post my opinions, it is based on my past experience and info I got from books and other sources. When I read a post, I compare it to what I already know and to a large extent, who posted the info. If Scott, Lonnie, Butch and some others say something, I will give their statements a lot of credability. I will not assume everything they say is 100% accurate in every instance, but I will assume they are saying what they believe is correct. No one I ever met knows everything about the hobbby, and if they claim they do, I would not believe it.
Experience is King..

Agreed Wes. I should have clarified myself better in my post. Mainly what I'm referring to is when people give exact years and dates of when company A bought company B and changed the name, or the exact years of a company's operation, etc, etc.

When it comes to specific detailed info like this, it's usually from a written piece of literature somewhere and I would like to know where. Thats all.

My mentor doesn't have specific books he learned from, but he does have years of experience and I know what he's telling me is correct at least 99% of the time. Experience is king for sure.

x2

Dick Bennetts' ghost.

When you get an answer on Oldgas you're getting it from the source. Most books were written by people on this site or someone knows the author personally. Seasoned members also gain priceless information from passed members and collectors. This is the best place to learn about Petroliana IMO. The people on this site will give it to you straight. I love OG.

Don't believe everything you read on Old Gas either..

There are a lot of people on here that know what they are talking about. Not every one does

I know the timing specs for a mid 70's Chevy v8, what the compression should be for Ford 302, how to adjust the camber and toe on the front end of a car to keep the tires from wearing.

If you ask I'll gladly share that info...but if you're going to make me go find the manual and cite the page number every time I share my knowledge I'm just not gonna bother.

If you read this site with any regularity you already know who is giving you good info and who's not. Just sayin.

One word....Experience!!!

DB would have a field day with this thread.

If I have a question on something Old-Gas related, I post it here and let the guys that have gone before me give me their opinion and why. Not everything is written in books and it would be one heck of a book if it was.

Question an item and keep asking till you know and in the future please pass that on to others..... Pay it forward!

Most of my stuff is bogus-so dont pay me any mind.

But lets see!
Wes Maxwell-Sinclair
Blacktee-Texaco
Gulfiend-Gulf
Bob Richards-has the art of search to come up with the answer.

I could go on and on. Stick around,stay teachable, something to be learned every day. The more you visit the more faith you will have in members here. Agree with Ohio Oil if you second guess everyone they will just not bother,and it wont be their loss.

The young collector entering the hobby today has a huge advantage over the ones of us that started years ago. When I started I didn't have Google, Old Gas, Ebay, smart phones, computers, etc. There were a few books that had been written, that had nice photos and prices. The prices weren't up to date, as the hobby changes everyday. I bought signs I was proud of, only to find out that they weren't original. Luckily there were a few old collectors that knew the difference. If there was a guaranteed book on repro signs, the re-poppers would be reading it. Nobody can tell you the value of a item. If you like it, just buy it. Buy what you like, and buy the best condition, you can.

Thanks guys, I appreciate the feedback.

Ask me a question and I'll give you an honest answer. I, like some of the rest, will not waste my time verifying text. It all has come from hard work and experience from years of doing. I agree with Butch, we learned the hard way. Young guys are having too much information simply handed to them. Now we are being asked to give printed examples???? Get real! I will not be part of that cycle so you need to grow up and think before you poke a snakes nest. Paul www.severngaspumps.com

I started in 1999 in this hobby and guys told me i was getting in late. LOL
I have had the experience of the internet and books but getting to know experienced collectors is the best advice to give. Go to shows and swap meets and pick stuff up and look at it. Ask questions... you don't feel comfortable walk away!
Issue today is many guys go straight to google and want answers now! Many come to this site do to google and ask the same questions that has been asked 100 times and don't even notice there is a search box at the top to try.
I know globes... not as well as some but i feel i am somewhat knowledgeable and can answer questions.
Good luck! If dick hadn't passed away... you would be getting an ear full. LOL