My Gas Pump Project

[BlitzAttack]

As if the car wasnt enough of a project, I picked up this old gas pump to tinker with. I believe its a 1949 Southwest pump company Mobilgas Special.
It has the info plate on it, but information on the internet is limited. Inside the pump is about 80% there, but I think at this time its going to be more of an aesthetic restoration. I think i got it pretty cheap after looking around.







and after a little WD40 rubdown

[Hunter 2]

Very nice find.

[dv/dt]

For a different gas company but the same pump (Model #45). Cool find!

BTW, copy these to your hard drive since they may disappear once the auction is over.

[dv/dt]

And if you would like some literature about it:

GAS PUMP LITERATURE PACKAGE-A265-SOUTHWEST 40 SERIES GAS PUMPS-1947 | eBay

[Thanatopsis]

That is seriously cool. How did you stumble across that gem?
I used to know of a guy in Dallas that would "restore" old pumps turning them into mini-keg coolers. He rigged up the fuel dispensing hose as the tap.

[AC Bill]

Someone must be making repro decals for gas pumps. I see pumps being restored on that American Restoration TV show, and they are all sporting nice new decals.
Personally, I like a little patina on vintage items, rather than spanking new looking. Be nice if one could restore them, then antique them a touch, so they would look used, at least.

Pretty cool find!

[BlitzAttack]

I had been looking for a while now. I've always thought they looked cool in the garage. Pics saved thanks. I have noticed parts for the southwest seem to be harder to come by.

[dv/dt]

Oops, forgot the link to the auction in my first post:

Vintage gas pump by Southwest Pump Company : Lot 506

[DMW]

Very nice! Now, finish that first project (Cobra) before starting the new won. It would be cool if you painted the gas pump the same color as the Cobra!

[RobBaker]

Just for kicks what's the price range on pumps in this condition?
Beer cooler sounds like a neat feature.

[BlitzAttack]

Originally Posted by RobBaker

Just for kicks what's the price range on pumps in this condition?
Beer cooler sounds like a neat feature.

It it really depends on the brand/type. The old visable pumps can go for a pretty penny, as well as some of the clock face pumps. Ones similiar to mine go for $250-$500 ish.

[krhayden]

Wow, my Dad has three pumps like that on the farm he still uses to this day. One had the nice glass crown on it until a tree fell on it and shattered it.

[dv/dt]

Originally Posted by krhayden

Wow, my Dad has three pumps like that on the farm he still uses to this day. One had the nice glass crown on it until a tree fell on it and shattered it.

And where exactly does your dad live? You can PM me!

[NiceGuyEddie]

this is amazing!

i don't know about you guys... but there are loads of shows on TV about finding and restoring old stuff.

i've learned so much about restoration, bodywork, painting, sandblasting, welding, i want to do something like this!

cheers,

[BlitzAttack]

Well this is how she is gonna stay until I finish the roadster. Ive still gotta attach the hose, and my nozzle is being shipped. But it sure looks cool lit up when Im working on the car

[NiceGuyEddie]

i don't know dude, i'd leave the finish just like that!

it looks awesome!

totally jealous.

[MPTech]

Keep it original. If you restore it, it looks like a new repo.

Cool project. (I think you need to hook up a keg-erator to that!)

[mn12]

Agreed that patina is super cool

[BlitzAttack]

Originally Posted by NiceGuyEddie

i don't know dude, i'd leave the finish just like that!

it looks awesome!

totally jealous.

Thanks for the comments.
Yea thats what I was thinking with the patina. Im gonna polish the nozzle and some of the chrome to ad a cool contrast to the patina. Also put the sqaure ad glass on the top of door that will light up with the globe, and replace the main faceplate glass on the door.

[BlitzAttack]

Finally got me a handle for a decent price, and hit it on the polishing wheel for about 15 min.

[skunkman]

Looks great.

[Zulu]

Tha looks great and I agree with others , leave it old like it is ....

[CobraDreaming]

That's cool. I'm not that old ... 51 and can remember pumps like that at gas stations. Full service and all that. The second pump says 22 cents per gallon. I think I can recall 19 cents