What Did We Call Premium Gas?

[67C10Step]

Davischevy,
You were just a bit further north than I but I’ll bet our sticks were pretty close to the same. I never got to work at a gas station either. Hauled hay, skidded logs, worked at a saw mill, tons of fun stuff. Pumping gas would have been a dream.

I think it was late 70’s before I saw three grades of gas.

[special-K]

Fast forward? Why? It's already just a tease. That was sure a classic Nicholson moment. I like how he hollered the guy back into his seat. Now that is crazy Jack right there!

[100%Chevy]

The last time I worked at a gas station was in 1976.it was a part time job after work and week-ends.
I was also going to college too!
It was called a "Lion" gas station.Had to stick the tanks before and after every shift (and use the paste water detector) .Had an in-floor safe with a slot in the top.Anything over a hundred dollars had to be folded and pushed thru the slot with a paint stick!2 bays with wash rack and lube/mechanic bay.
It also was on Hwy.90.At the time 90 was the southern most east/west route across the U.S.The new I-10 wasn't complete yet.
Soo many stories of the strange and weird people I've encountered.
I think the worst was the last time the KKK had a rally in daytime!
Mike.

[Palf70Step]

I know of Ethel, (Don't look.... ), just didn't use the term much in the 60s & 70s for fuel. Family mostly used Sunoco and I worked there in early 70s, so it was by the numbers.190, 200 230, etc...Sunoco 260 was the "GOOD" stuff, 103 octane at the time.

[1976gmc20]

Originally Posted by 67C10Step

Davischevy,
You were just a bit further north than I but I’ll bet our sticks were pretty close to the same. I never got to work at a gas station either. Hauled hay, skidded logs, worked at a saw mill, tons of fun stuff. Pumping gas would have been a dream.

I think it was late 70’s before I saw three grades of gas.

I went from a gas station to a sawmill to logging. I had my own business for a while, with a Cat and a log truck and a "hi-lead" truck.

And a dozen other trades along the way. The gas station wasn't my first job by any means.

[LostMy65]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

I know of Ethel, (Don't look.... ),.

It was too late...
She'd already been mooned
Flashed her right there in front of the shock absorbers!

[67 twins]

Originally Posted by LostMy65

It was too late...
She'd already been mooned
Flashed her right there in front of the shock absorbers!

Oh yes they call him the streak.
Good reference there Lmao

[GOPAPA]

Ever hear of Polytane ? another from of Ethel I guess

[Steeveedee]

Stinker gas! I remember that from when I was in Navy A-school in Illinois.

[LostMy65]

[davischevy]

Originally Posted by 100%Chevy

It was called a "Lion" gas station.
Mike.

Lion Gas stations.

When I was a kid, my parents bought the house where the Lion Oil Distributor lived. There was a ton of Lion paraphernalia around that place. I remember a couple of glass globes that went on top of the pumps still in the boxes with straw packing.

I have no idea where that stuff went.

[Killer Bee]

just watched this episode with the kids earlier

[Liz]

High test is what I remember

leaded, unleaded, mid grade and high test

[special-K]

Talking about the old gas stations, In the '80s & '90s die cast vintage truck coin banks were a popular collectible. Old oil companies, Petromobilia, was a strong category. I have a whole bunch. They all had their 'colors'. I love seeing them all together. Sometimes there will be an old oil company truck at an antique truck show. Great to see!

What I remember is brand loyalty. Even the first credit cards were issued by the oil company for purchase of their product. That's what they were really about, a way to assure you bought their gas. I remember, card or not, riding with people who had to have 'their brand'. Each brand had their trade name for their premium and I remember people going by those names, not whatever generic term that was popular when talking fuel in general

[100%Chevy]

My dad would only buy his gas at a Hess station.
Until Hess closed up around here in the 70's.
I always wanted one of the toy Hess tanker trucks!
Never did get one.
Mike.

[Jrainman]

Originally Posted by 100%Chevy

My dad would only buy his gas at a Hess station.
Until Hess closed up around here in the 70's.
I always wanted one of the toy Hess tanker trucks!
Never did get one.
Mike.

LOl I remeber my dad was a big Gas freebe collector I remember all the way back to the early 60s stopping in diffrent gas stations for there fill up and free give aways , City service (citco) had brass era cars they gave away, with a free fill up then they had drinking glasses ,it was to keep you coming in, collect the whole set Idea, Shell had cassete tapes, glasses and other things,texico and shell had trucks also, I dont remember when Hess first stated with there Promo , but both of my Sons have everyone since they were born ,My dad would go every year and get them for them and I have continued on this since my dads passing, ,I still go every year and get them for my sons , there attics are full of them .

[1976gmc20]

It's a shame the old service stations have disappeared.

Not that I mind pumping my own gas and washing my own windshield, but you used to be able to get a flat tire fixed or many other minor repairs done practically anywhere you could buy gas. And you could usually watch it being done.

[special-K]

Yep. They all went to pop shops or convenience stores. The thing is, the convenience stores don't have much more for me than a service station had. Most sold some kind of snacks and drinks. Some had diners connected. Only now are convenience stores starting to become more. The biggest thing I miss is the air hose. Those coin operated "air pumps" suck. I want compressed air. Those little pumps work their butt off filling my truck tires. My hand gets sore pushing on the nozzle so long. We have one station that still has a hose from a compressor... for now. I think they did close the bay down recently. So just a matter of time.

[dieseldawg142]

Originally Posted by special-K

Those coin operated "air pumps" suck.

biggest scam as far as i'm concerned, paying for air.
don't need an excuse how it takes $0.38 in electricity, when i just filled my truck up with $200 of gas...

[Blue666(2)]

I buy my gas a C-store that maintains free air & water. He is about fed up with the people stealing the hoses & air nozzles though.

[1976gmc20]

Also a service station was a place for young guys to get a job and learn some automotive skills, and business skills - like how to please the public and make them want to come back. Nowadays with the computer cash registers they don't even have to know how to make change, let alone change a tire or change oil.

Of course there were the Bad Eggs, too. I worked with a jerk who would rip off customers to increase his TBA commissions. Of course the boss thought he was great which was one reason I quit. He sold a new battery to some folks who were back in the next morning (jerk was off that day) upset because they had to get jump started again. I popped the hood and found their alternator v-belt was way loose and the battery terminals were still dirty. I didn't charge them anything at all because they probably never needed a new battery to begin with. Lots of times I would do little things like that no charge for regular local customers. Cars back then did need a lot more tinkering.

[LostMy65]

Marty sees this and thinks: 'What the heck?!!'

[3757chevy]

Texaco:Sky Chief(premium), and Fire Chief(regular) As Marty stands there in his life vest.