Inter-Action Enterprises 1950's Gas Station - Gulf Tom Schrawz Build Challenge

[ACL1504]

Oh my.....I hope Pepsico doesn't go bust..... .....great progress on the gas station  .....will it have a working car lift in the service bay?

Greg,

Thank you and yes, the Pepsi peeps will live without my support.

A lift, possibly, but not a working one.


Tom

[jimmillho]

All these years PepsiCo has been one of the best performing stocks in my IRA.  I guess I better sell it before they go broke.

By the way, nice job on the station my friend.  I hope to see it this Saturday.

Jim

[jerryrbeach]

Tom,


I have no idea if you are going to include a lift in this garage, but just in case...  The Texaco I worked at in the late 60's had two lifts.  Both were single post lifts, with a central lift cylinder instead of the two cylinders common in more modern lifts.  The mechanic bay had a 'four pad' lift.  The pads both pivoted and could be extended and retracted using a hook.  Once the car was centered over the lift, you used a hook to reach under the car and line up the pads with the frame.  When the car was overhead, most of the undercarriage was easily accessible for almost any type of repair, including tires, wheels, brakes, etc.  The lift in the oil change/wash bay was configured to have the car driven onto it so that the tires were on the lift base.  This lift allowed less access to the underbody, and thus was limited in its use.  Both lifts had a tendency to rotate as the cars were raised, thus you used one hand on the hydraulic control valve while you used the other to keep the car straight within the work bay.  The lifts were both orange in color. 

[ReadingBob]

This looks terrific so far!  This is a very interesting kit/structure.  Can't wait to see it (this Saturday I hope).

It's been roughly 13 months since I've had a Diet Coke.  I think I've had 1, maybe 2, regular soda's since then (when the restaurant I was in didn't have any ice tea available).  Most of the time I drink water or unsweetened ice tea.  There is the occasional glass of wine or other spirits.   

[ACL1504]

All these years PepsiCo has been one of the best performing stocks in my IRA.  I guess I better sell it before they go broke.

By the way, nice job on the station my friend.  I hope to see it this Saturday.

Jim

Jim,

Thank you very much. Hope to see you my friend this Saturday.

Tom

[ACL1504]

Tom,


I have no idea if you are going to include a lift in this garage, but just in case...  The Texaco I worked at in the late 60's had two lifts.  Both were single post lifts, with a central lift cylinder instead of the two cylinders common in more modern lifts.  The mechanic bay had a 'four pad' lift.  The pads both pivoted and could be extended and retracted using a hook.  Once the car was centered over the lift, you used a hook to reach under the car and line up the pads with the frame.  When the car was overhead, most of the undercarriage was easily accessible for almost any type of repair, including tires, wheels, brakes, etc.  The lift in the oil change/wash bay was configured to have the car driven onto it so that the tires were on the lift base.  This lift allowed less access to the underbody, and thus was limited in its use.  Both lifts had a tendency to rotate as the cars were raised, thus you used one hand on the hydraulic control valve while you used the other to keep the car straight within the work bay.  The lifts were both orange in color.

Jerry,

The Gulf station I used here had both as well. It was a fancy station but most in town just had the two, non movable ramps.

I do have a two ramp/pad lift but haven't decided to use it. The kit front can be seen but the interior detail when lit, will be hard to see. More on this later in the build.

Appreciate your input and comments.

Tom

[ACL1504]

This looks terrific so far!  This is a very interesting kit/structure.  Can't wait to see it (this Saturday I hope).

It's been roughly 13 months since I've had a Diet Coke.  I think I've had 1, maybe 2, regular soda's since then (when the restaurant I was in didn't have any ice tea available).  Most of the time I drink water or unsweetened ice tea.  There is the occasional glass of wine or other spirits.   

Bob,

Thank you, much appreciate the comment. This has really been a fun build. I sure hope you can make it this Saturday.

So far, backing off the Diet Pepsi hasn't been a problem. Small steps on this adventure.

Tom

[Rail and Tie]

Hi Tom, what a clean build!  Fantastic work.  Thanks for the reminder on the corner window sash, I have made a note.


Also, something I neglected to mention in the instructions is that most gas stations paint the curbs of the sidewalks and pumps for visibility.  Not all of them, but many that I have seen do this. Pic for reference.


Keep up the great work!


Darryl

[ACL1504]

Hi Tom, what a clean build!  Fantastic work.  Thanks for the reminder on the corner window sash, I have made a note.


Also, something I neglected to mention in the instructions is that most gas stations paint the curbs of the sidewalks and pumps for visibility.  Not all of them, but many that I have seen do this. Pic for reference.


Keep up the great work!


Darryl

\


Darryl,

Thank you for the generous compliment on the build of your fantastic kit.

I do remember some of the station curbs being painted. I've seen Gulf stations with blue, orange and yellow curbs and gas islands. I probably wont' do the blue as it is to much on this model, maybe orange or yellow if at all.

It's always good to have the "thumbs up" from the kit manufacturer. Again, thanks very much.

Tom

[Rail and Tie]

Hi Tom,


Here is that Stolen Parts Sign if you want it.  I don't remember where I got it so I did not include it in the kit. I can't seem to find the oval version...


D

[ACL1504]

Darryl,

Thanks very much for the sign. I've saved it to my sign file for use later.

Tom

[ACL1504]

The main structure is now complete. A few little details to be added to the exterior later.

I did add the trim to the bottom of the exterior walls. This made the building even more "GULF" like.

I finished the roof as I did the front awning. The roofs are removal for adding interior details later as well. I have some details I can add now but will wait and install all at one time.





Continued -

[ACL1504]

[ACL1504]

Darryl was kind enough and included the LED strips for interior lighting. I installed them over the office and the garage bay area.



I prepped/painted and cut out the parts to make the two gas pumps.



More in a few.

[ACL1504]

I also built the coke machine which was also included in the kit. The coke machine can be purchased separately from the Inter-Action website.

Here are the machine parts.



I studied the parts and how they fit together. This also helped to determine what sequence of painting was needed.

I assembled the three base sections using the wood dowel as the guide for correct assembly.

The part with the bottle holes goes on next. This was painted silver. Once the next part is glued it will be very difficult to paint the silver on at that time. So, do it now.



More in a few.