Thread: Vintage Gas Pumps,What to do?

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I scored a old Bower gas pump today at a yard sale, 50 bucks, and it's clean. My neighbor is a sort of purist and says I should just clean it up and keep original, my little hot rodder inside me says paint and powder coat it. And remove the very heavy guts...What have others done?

Nice score, I found a Gilbarco a few years ago and restored the outside. I left the guts in it because I wanted it to be heavy and hard to cart away. I've got it out front of the garage. Made mine a Gilmore brand,it looks really good at night all lite up. All of the decals,rubber seals,top globes etc. etc.etc. are readily available online. Mine still had the 1968 Illinois dept. of weights and measure certification stickers under the glass.

Never seen one of those before. Looks pretty complete.

First, find out what it's worth to a pump collector! Some of the rare ones are worth some serious gold. If it is a common (read cheap) model, go ahead and make it pretty.

Better cover up that "29 cents a gallon" sign, you'll have lineups around the block!!!!

Originally Posted by R Pope

First, find out what it's worth to a pump collector! Some of the rare ones are worth some serious gold. If it is a common (read cheap) model, go ahead and make it pretty.

Funny you say that, I've been surfing and coming up empty on info. The thing still has the ID tag, but none like it are popping up. Maybe I should join a gas pump forum and ask around?

A friend of mine restores these old pumps, some are worth a fortune. I know he bought one almost like that one 2 weeks ago, in not near as good of shape, for 200.00. Do not remove the parts inside if you decide to sell it someday the new owner will pay more for a complete pump. Photograph it the way it is now. If you plan on keeping it paint it how you want it, but save the picture in case you someday sell it. If you plan on selling it, restore it the way it is as original.