Oil is oil????

[Junkman]

Ralph... as one old timer to another.... you are old /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif I also remember them and even still have 8 bottles and the metal rack that held them so you could carry them to the gas island. The pour spouts were tin plated steel shell tubular screw on caps. I remember them well, although they were no longer used at any time in my lifetime. They were a thing of the past by the start of the war, but were brought back into use during the war... OK.. they were used during my lifetime, but just not by me. Paper cans started to show up in the early 1960's and the metal oil cans were phased out by them. The paper/cardboard oil cans always leaked and were a problem with crushing when you tried to open them. Sure don't miss those nuisance cans. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

 

[Bird]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( The paper/cardboard oil cans always leaked and were a problem with crushing when you tried to open them )</font>

I don't recall having any leakage problem unless they were damaged, but I do remember the crushing problem when you tried to open them. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif You had to learn to be careful.

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( the metal rack that held them so you could carry them to the gas island )</font>

We set out one of those racks each morning at each end of the pump island. They were set against big square brick posts at either end of the pump island, and one night a drunk came driving in very slowly (thank goodness) head on into the bricks. Of course he crushed that metal rack and several cans of oil causing oil to squirt about 20' in every direction. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Sure was a mess to clean up.

 

[Junkman]

I remember them always being a problem when the distributors would stack them too high or would throw the cases around.. the bottom edge of the cans would get damaged and weep just enough oil to cause a problem. When I had my shop, I got a call from a salvage company asking if I was interested in purchasing cases of oil that came from a freight train that had derailed. I bought about 200 cases and everyone of them was oil stained. We opened and drained every can that was damaged and put the oil into 55 gallon drums. Didn't even give a thought to what the weight was. Used that oil for oil changed on the taxi's.

 

[California]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( ...you are old I also remember them and even still have 8 bottles and the metal rack that held them so you could carry them to the gas island. The pour spouts were tin plated steel shell tubular screw on caps.

I remember them well, although they were no longer used at any time in my lifetime. They were a thing of the past by the start of the war, but were brought back into use during the war. - Junkman )</font>

Hey, I resemble that remark! In high school (1961) I worked evenings in a Standard Oil service station. We used those quart bottles with the conical spout, and the racks.

There was also a special mystery oil among the bulk tanks in the back room. The label simply said Bell Telephone Use Only (or similar). I suspect this was because the phone company had a nationwide contract with S.O. to pay less than state 'fair trade' (price fixing) prices that S.O. had gotten enacted. In those days they could buy a state legislature, unlike today.

 

[PineRidge]

Oil, tires, batteries, you guys are describing a full service gas station. Remember the term full service?

Before my dad passed he had 16 Phillips 66 full service stations some years ago here in Ohio. At that time we used to have two Doyle vacuum cleaners at each island. We also had a large sign posted on the glass of each and every station that said, "Your gasoline purchase is absolutely free if our Phillips 66 employee fails to vacuum the interior of your car and check your oil while he is fueling your vehicle."

The idea sold a lot of gas and oil for him and the majority of folks were very patient waiting for their fuel to be pumped. Not too many drive offs back then. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Some guys would come in and get a bucks worth of gas to get their car vacuumed out. /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

 

[slowrev]

"In those days they could buy a state legislature, unlike today."

Naw they found they could get more money by just renting themselves out for one vote than by selling out /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Sorry, just could not resist ....

 

[frank_f15]

THANKS A LOT JUNKMAN!!!! i remember the metal oil cans and the cardbord and still have a few of the pop in spouts. but the reall sad part is i also remember the glass jars, although i only remember them as being used for storage of nuts and bolts and such. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Junkman]

Funny how you mention memories. When I was younger, I had a friend that I worked with at the fire station. He was quite a bit older than me. One night he was telling me about a place that he used to go to drink in Buffalo NY. We decided that we would take a road trip to that bar the following weekend. It was the only time that I had ever experienced a urinal that went from floor to ceiling. Now, that is a memory! It was at least 8' tall!!!!! Do you know where this bar is? Too many years ago for me to remember much more about it other than it had a very long mahogany bar with mirror behind it and it was very dark inside. That was more than 40 years ago...

 

[sneaky_pete]

</font><font color="blue" class="small">( It was the only time that I had ever experienced a urinal that went from floor to ceiling. Now, that is a memory! It was at least 8' tall!!!!! )</font>

My favorite urinal and a little oil field humor:

 

[Soundguy]

Yep.. I've seen those before.. makes you feel like your pee'ing into a bath tub.

Soundguy