Photos of Vintage Auto Dealerships, Repair Shops, and Gas Stations
- Thread starter ayilar
- Start date
Carter Carburetor plant in St Louis. Built in 1915, closed in 1984 and demolished in 2015.
This is stretching the theme of this thread a little, but the design and that big clock is just too cool not to post. No idea where this is.
While trying to figure out where the tool booths are, I came across this one from Sydney. Australia in 1959. Another clock and much better design than the overhead EZ Pass readers we have now.
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While trying to figure out where the tool booths are, I came across this one from Sydney. Australia in 1959. Another clock and much better design than the overhead EZ Pass readers we have now.
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MrMoparCHP
Old Man with a Hat
My first thought was the Golden Gate Bridge, it took a while to find a picture with both the contrasting stripes on the booth and the dark faced clock.
1959+
Alan
The tool booth plaza with the large clock looks very similar to the one at the Golden Gate Bridge.
Start watching at the 15 minute mark and you'll shortly see the clock and then the "Stop - Pay Toll" at 15:09
At 15:09
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Broadway, Virginia
67newport
Old Man with a Hat
Smithton PA
Green stamps!
Portland Oregon. W Burnside (angling up and to right) at 10th (bottom of photo), circa: 1939
source: Powell’s – Vintage Portland
Google Earth - 2022. All different businesses, but you can largely recognize the structures are still there 80 years later.
Converted Sinclair, Post #37
Found the video of this one from above. 2 min minutes of owner narrating/touring his conversion.
I like it ... kinda "artsy" but its vehicle-relevant and well-done overall plus a few "easter eggs" not evident at @37. He put a loft section in too to maximmize all the space.
but where's the INDOOR place FOR the car(s)? Its New Orleans so climate doesn't tend to eat them up, but still...
If my "retiree hobby hoouse" is a former gas station conversion, its gonna need a 5,000 sq. ft. "garage" attached/on the property.
Found the video of this one from above. 2 min minutes of owner narrating/touring his conversion.
I like it ... kinda "artsy" but its vehicle-relevant and well-done overall plus a few "easter eggs" not evident at @37. He put a loft section in too to maximmize all the space.
but where's the INDOOR place FOR the car(s)? Its New Orleans so climate doesn't tend to eat them up, but still...
If my "retiree hobby hoouse" is a former gas station conversion, its gonna need a 5,000 sq. ft. "garage" attached/on the property.
We've seen a few of the former "big box" (20,000+ sq ft., single story, clear span) dealers reused. Always to a business or organization so far ... though a giant old, multi-story Kahn building in Chicago (and an old Fisher Body plant in Detroit being converted as I write this) was turned in apartments
The former Benson Kia, 1185 Asheville Hwy, Spartanburg SC. 37,000 sq. ft., now the Hope Point Church.
$4 Million of a $6 Million project spent. They bought in back in 2018.
Church seems to have good plans that also fit the "mission" that supports the large investment. Good reuse .. not an architecturally "aspiring" structure, but imminently practical on a $/sq.ft. basis. Even has usages when services are not planned.
sources: Hope Point Church turns old car dealership into a house of worship, Hope Point Church - Spartanburg, SC, 1185 Asheville Hwy, Spartanburg, SC 29303 | LoopNet
Today
The former Benson Kia, 1185 Asheville Hwy, Spartanburg SC. 37,000 sq. ft., now the Hope Point Church.
$4 Million of a $6 Million project spent. They bought in back in 2018.
Church seems to have good plans that also fit the "mission" that supports the large investment. Good reuse .. not an architecturally "aspiring" structure, but imminently practical on a $/sq.ft. basis. Even has usages when services are not planned.
sources: Hope Point Church turns old car dealership into a house of worship, Hope Point Church - Spartanburg, SC, 1185 Asheville Hwy, Spartanburg, SC 29303 | LoopNet
Today
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67newport
Old Man with a Hat
1937 - SE 82nd Ave. & SE Powell Blvd. looking north - Portland Oregon
I think this is a great picture. The gentleman's name is Dewey McAllister and he owned the shop. This was on East 12th St in Erie, PA. I think this was about 1929.
And the same location today.
And the same location today.
1401 West 4th Ave., Rock Island, ILL. Built 1940, former Galbraith Buick, 15,000 sq. ft, streamline moderne.
The parts that matter are largely unmolested since 1940.
I'd do this one as my "retiree hobby house". Can't do it given part of the country, but I dig this one.
The roof space (ramp on side to access) between the two "wings" is robust/large enough to park 65 cars. It would get sod and trees. Front 1/3 - 1/2 (5,000 sq. ft.) would be "house". Everything else "garage"/car related rental property.
I can even get my buses in this joint from the back side doors.
source: Galbraith Motor Company | Rock Island, IL - Official Website
"This modernistic former car dealership building was built in 1940. At that time it was the Galbraith Motor Company, and also included a gasoline service station.
The one and two story building complex has several parts, including the one and two level auto repair/paint shop area in the rear that provided for a 65-car display area on the roof between the front two story section of the building and the rear two story wing."
The parts that matter are largely unmolested since 1940.
I'd do this one as my "retiree hobby house". Can't do it given part of the country, but I dig this one.
The roof space (ramp on side to access) between the two "wings" is robust/large enough to park 65 cars. It would get sod and trees. Front 1/3 - 1/2 (5,000 sq. ft.) would be "house". Everything else "garage"/car related rental property.
I can even get my buses in this joint from the back side doors.
source: Galbraith Motor Company | Rock Island, IL - Official Website
"This modernistic former car dealership building was built in 1940. At that time it was the Galbraith Motor Company, and also included a gasoline service station.
The one and two story building complex has several parts, including the one and two level auto repair/paint shop area in the rear that provided for a 65-car display area on the roof between the front two story section of the building and the rear two story wing."
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Wow 
This thing looks perfect for what you describe— here’s more info that I found:
“The Buick dealership was purchased by Kinney Buick, Incorporated, in 1942, but sold to Buck Buick Company by 1945. (…) This building was last used as a car dealership in 1991 as Austin Buick.”
This thing looks perfect for what you describe— here’s more info that I found:
“The Buick dealership was purchased by Kinney Buick, Incorporated, in 1942, but sold to Buck Buick Company by 1945. (…) This building was last used as a car dealership in 1991 as Austin Buick.”
67newport
Old Man with a Hat
1937 - N Broadway & NE Larrabee Ave. looking south - Portland Oregon
Meadville, PA Brooks Brothers Dodge
226 S Washington St, Clinton, MO (80 miles southeast of KCMO). Built 1951. Houses private owner's (car dealer) car collection.
Aside. Drive Mr. Pegman around this area? Tons of industrial properties that probably started life as something else that look promising for my purposes. Typical of ~40K population cities' urban centers on the rebound..
Sources:Old Desoto dealership, Jim Raysik and Downtown DeSoto
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Former Cadillac dealer in Banshee, PA. Now Sheriff's office.
Some of you will get this.....
Some of you will get this.....
never missed in episode .. even if (many times) had to DVR it. interesting kick-a** characters.. even the hacker guy that wore dresses was a bad-a**, scary sum-gun.
Yes, the "CADI" was neat pad ...
Yes, the "CADI" was neat pad ...
Unknown location, but the year is 1909. I think the cars are Overlands, but not 100% sure. Note right hand drive and the woman driving!
Dirt street and and I think that's a hitching post for horses out front.
Dirt street and and I think that's a hitching post for horses out front.
