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Lance Lambert
�The Vintage Vehicle Show�

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FILL�ER UP?

There are several things I miss about the 1950�s. Near the top of the list is the neighborhood gas station.

On the corner of North 12th & Pine in Tacoma was a Signal service station that had not changed in decades. It had all the cool stuff you�d expect; new and used tires everywhere, rusty signs pitching tire repair and bulk oil, an ancient pop machine and, best of all, George. He was right out of Mayberry; dirty coveralls, pointed attendant�s hat, five pounds of grease under his fingernails and a great attitude. He believed that if you kept Mrs. Conklin�s Buick running properly she�d keep coming back for gas and repairs. He felt that marking up items more that ten percent was criminal. And, much to my delight, he was willing to let a very young car nut kid hang out at the station.

I�d ride my Schwinn Black Phantom bicycle there several times a week just to watch him work. There wasn�t a lot of conversation coming from George. Sitting quietly with him in the �office� shed waiting for customers to arrive was all I needed. He finally put me to work sweeping the garage and parking lot. I was thrilled to be �working� at a real gas station and quickly worked my way up to official tire stacker, floor grease scraper and window cleaner. I was even allowed to visit the most mysterious place at any 1950�s station; the �grease pit�. This was the pit in the concrete floor where you went to change a car�s oil or work on the undercarriage. It was full of oil, a little dangerous and where only grownups were allowed!

I cared very little that George never paid me any money because being able to hang out at the station was payment enough. The prestige job was actually pumping gas into customer�s cars and as far as I was concerned this was as good as being paid money. George and I would be sitting in the office when a car would drive up to the pump. I�d look at him apprehensively and wait for his quiet nod. When he nodded towards the car I�d race out and ask �Fill�er up?� Suddenly I was the most important 12 year old kid in the county. Not only could I closely watch the gas pump gauge and stop at exactly $2.00, but I could remove the nozzle without spilling a drop. This was the most exciting car related activity that I�d ever done.

That summer was one of the best in my memory. As I grew older I realized the need to get a real job if I was ever going to own a real car. I became a pin setter at the Elks Club bowling alley, got a paper route and did odd jobs around the neighborhood. Before long I had saved up $125 and bought a 1948 Chev Fleetline Aero Sedan.

I bet you can guess where I bought my first tank of gas.

Program Note:

You can see the Vintage Vehicle show with Lance Lambert on 43 stations throughout the country, see your local listings for times and channels or go to: www.vintagevehicletv.com

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