1940s Life At The Gas Stations In America

1940s Life At The Gas Stations In America

A significant decade in American history, the 1940s saw the nation undergo major changes as a result of World War II. In these circumstances, gas stations became iconic representatives of American life, acting as important centers for transportation, friendship, and convenience. In this video, we explore the lively world of gas stations in the 1940s, learning about their social function, the services they supplied, and the distinctive experiences they offered to both tourists and locals.

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[TomJosephi]

My father as a teenager worked ib a gas You can still see some classical look gas stations around the country. Some gas stations were connected to restaurants and evolved into the convenient stores we have today.

[wanderinmoose]

1940's gas stations.. fueling up 57 Chevys and other cars of the 50s.... lol love the video !

[GordoGambler]

On my cross Canada trip in 2019 I was about 30 miles east of Toronto, near Oshawa. Where I came upon one of these old stations preserved in time like an antique.
Yah, cars went a whole 1, 000 miles till the next oil change. LOL. Maybe 2, 000 fast miles on the highway.
In 1984 I was getting back to the Canadian border after a 2 week trip to Vegas and LA in my rusty 1968 Camaro. Engine started ticking from low oil. I emptied my squirt can, a few spoonfuls. LOL. Helped a bit. Then I turned off the motor at the border. Then it wouldn't start because the battery was dry too. Used to have trouble with the thermostat and regulators. Now I can let the car sit for a month and it will start in a second every time.
Cracked windshields were common back then. Haven't had one in 20 years.
My dad was a mostly tune-up mechanic at a GM Chev/ Olds dealer from 1948 to 1984. The George Orwell years, LOL.

[alanolson]

Notice the A decals in the windshield. During WW 2 gasoline was rationed. An ‘A’ decal bought you 5 gallons a week. Other decals were B and X. I don’t recall what all of them stood for but X, I believe, was almost unlimited fillups, they were for long haul trucks, physicians, nurses, judges, attorneys. Their work required driving distances and sometimes at off hours.
Great and informative video.

[radioguy]

worked at one for 6 years, too many never changed out their fuel tanks in time, huge ground water issue.

[billiebobbienorton]

My late husband worked at a full service Gulf station in the 50s. He made sure when a woman driver pulled in that he cleaned the windows extra good while looking down her blouse @4:27. Once a woman came in nude and he asked if he could clean the inside of the windows. She told him, "no, the windows were just cleaned" so he stuck his and in anyway and she closed the window on it and drove off with his arm stuck in the car!!! She drove 2 blocks with him screaming and crying like a little girl. She rolled the window down at 45 MPH and he crashed to the ground. He said he heard her laughing at him as she drove away ! ! ! ! He never pumped Gulf gas again! 🤕

[MarkWYoung-kyuc]

I remember those full service gas stations.

[valentinogross]

I remember 34.9 cents for a gallon of regular quite well.. The very good old days..

[alanstrong]

Had to be discouraging to get only 4 gallons per week. Farmers likely get higher limits as well as business owners.

[Lucas_Tulic]

Well, if Youtube has tough me anything is that nowadays, stopping at a gas/service station in the U.S.A. is also a memorable experience, not because of the appearance of the building, or the personalized service or the shapes of the gas pumps, but due to the high probability of being robbed or kidnapped, maybe even run over by a car being chased by the police or a drunk/drugged driver!

[avexp]

I remember 34.9 cents for a gallon of regular quite well.