With all the gas shows that are poping up all across the country I was wondering which show was the first, the Grandaddy of all shows . The one that started it all, if there is just one, maybe theres two that started at the same time , anyone know

According to Roy Reed it is his show which I believe has been around for 22 years. It is held in April in Fontana, California and if my story is straight was the first Petro swap meet called a "gas bash".

No doubt others will have an opinion on this.

In 1979, Ron Johnson [dba GASPUMP RONNIE] of Pomona, Calif. held the 1st get together that became an annual GAS BASH. He did it for 2 or 3 yrs. Then it was moved to Palm Springs. Next it was held in FRESNO for 2-3 yrs. Roy Reed has held it since.

I think that Roy's is probably the oldest running show but I think the gas show that started in Denver by Ed Love and moved to Iowa was the first. Anyone remember the shows in Denver to fill in?

Scott

My earliest issue of "Check the Oil!" (which at the time was the voice of OPEC [Oil Products and Ephemera Collectors] magazine is from January 1986. There is no mention of any swap meets in this issue. The next issue I have is February 1986 and there is a list of swap meets, but they appear to all be auto swap meets. By June of 1987, CTO was now the voice of the IPCA and it mentions that the second annual Petroliana Collectors convention was to be held in August of 1987 in Des Moines. There was also a picture story about Roy Reed's Gas Bash holding his 8th annual bash.
Jack Sim

So Jack your saying that Roy Reeds show is the oldest ,having the 8th annual in 1987 would put it back 1979-80

It appears that way. I wonder if there is anyone still around who went to the first one?

The 1st show I attended was in Palm Springs. Haven't missed a SoCal Bash since.

Don Perry [Calif], Ed Love [Colo], Jackie Knott [Mo], Pat Shimmin [Calif] are 4 of the 6, I have seen in a photo of the 1st Iowa Gas Show.

Wonder if them guys went home and said " man i paid to much for that globe or sign" LOL Back then they were probibly tossing ripple globes to each other.

Roy Reed's post card bills this years Gas Bash as the "26th Annual". That puts the for sure start date as 1979.