Sort of a related story. From 1999 until earlier this year I worked at an auto parts store that had been converted from an old gas station. On one side of the building you could still see the original panels on the wall. The employee restrooms were still outside, and on the other side of the building were two of the old pumps. I don't know much about pumps but from looking at pics I think they were Tokhiems. They looked to be complete with all the original glass, faded Sohio logos and the porcelain "contains lead" signs. The guy who has owned the building for decades was asked many many times if he would sell them but he never gave em up. Earlier this year before I left that job he pulled the pumps up and put them in his storage building (one can only wonder what other stuff from the old station he has in there!) I think he was getting worried about somebody stealing them.
Inside the store there was still an old Valvoline Racing oil can, and we once found a bunch of Sohio credit card reciepts dated 1969.
I guess I never thought much about it at the time, but now that I'm getting into the hobby I see that I was kind of lucky to work in an old place like that.
