Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Gas Pumps

Hi,
Question. Do you think gas pumps are or are considered more valuable or less valuable with their internals still intact?
Or maybe it does not even matter? It does add a lot of weight thats for sure. Curious on any opinions.

Welcome to Old-Gas.

this discussion has been going on since Gas Pumps became collectable and the answer always seems to be...do what you want with the inners as some like them complete and others think it's lighter and cleaner without them. The only ones I have left the inners in are the survivor pumps that are still intact to the point that, if needed they could pump gas again.

Prior conversations of the same:

http://www.oldgas.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=320010&page=all

like Mike said... age old question. just like the full vs empty oil can question.

short answer is... it doesnt matter, do what you prefer. it will not affect value. sure, some will not want it gutted, but others wont want it with guts.

Thank you both for your responses. Much appreciated. Makes sense.

I would disagree that it doesn't matter anymore. with the interest in survivor pumps recently there are some who will only buy them if still intact and will pay a premium. It sure does seem to me that in the near future the intact pumps are going to be "The Ones" most sought.

I'll always pay more if it still has it's guts intact.

I prefer to buy my visibles with all the guts simply because they are mechanical. I would not buy them otherwise. Electric pumps are different. I prefer to have the electric motor removed because it is simply useless unless you plan to use it. Also reduces the weight significantly. I don't think the price is affected with gutted electric pumps but it is with visibles. It's just my opinion.

Very interesting thoughts.

I gut all the pumps I take to shows. Less weight, less smell. I leave them unrestored. the buyer can restore anyway they want. Easer to move, so you scratch it a little , big deal. I collect pumps and I gut them for the same reasons. The curb pumps and visibles you keep intact. The guts hold them together. IF I had a real odd ball pump I would keep it intact.

I know we all have our opinions about this,but I would rather see this..

Then this..

That's easy! Sell them with the guts intact and the new owners can make their own decision!

This question is in our forum of "Frequently Asked Questions"

http://www.oldgas.com/forum/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=242439

I have been collecting pumps for over 40 years and have had 100 + over the years . I used to restore them and sell them . It was the thing to do then. I wish I had kept some of those survivor pumps. My wife is a professional photographer and watercolor artist and always told me to wait until she had captured all the colors that only time and mother nature can provide. I am now down to 7 pumps and all except one have the original colors and patina. 5 have the guts intact and people always want to look inside and seem to like the complete ones better and now I have the appreciation for the engineering involved in these and always look for a complete one . I will never restore a nice patina pump or gut one but then again I don't have to move them around and none are in the house

Very cool to hear all your thoughts on these. I think my guy liked that his pumps have the guts. He has had these for 30 years or so. So none are perfect but they still look good. He's still keeping a few as well. He's always kept his indoors except years ago when he would bring them to shows.