severngaspumps.com Blog

I just returned from spending the month of January in the “Valley of the Sun.”  As we have done for the past eight years, we travel to Scottsdale, Az. to be vendors at the Barrett Jackson Auto Auction. One way is 2410 miles as indicated on my odometer. The road trip is breathtaking and is something that I recommend highly. Weather in Arizona, in January, is usually 70 degrees and sunny. Not really hard to take, huh? We had a terrific time at the show. Saw many old friends and met some new ones.

Our vendor booth is pictured.

One photo shows a hot air ballon taking off in the morning red sky.

The mountain is called Pinnacle Peak. It is a popular hiking trail in North Scottsdale. If you are looking for a winter getaway, you owe it to yourself to do this once. After the first time, you won’t be a stranger for long.

During the Great Depression, I’ve been told, a person would see this type of sign posted on automobiles traveling to better locations…or so they hoped? Well, I’m on my way to Arizona as I am every year, at this time. I’ll be set up selling my wares at the Barrett Jackson Auction. The Auction is a great place to see some fantastic cars and meet some terrific people. It is well worth the trip. I’ll be returning at the end of January. If I am needed, you can call my cell. The shop will be manned so if there is something you need, please just call ahead. We get really busy at this time of year. Don’t want to miss your call. Thanks, Paul

Because I have been doing restorations for a really long time, I have seen a bunch of things that other folks might have missed? Yesterday, a gentleman came into my shop with this Wayne Cut Model 576 Clock-face gas-pump. We are slated to do a complete restoration from ground up.  I was a bit surprised at the condition as it came from near the Atlantic Ocean and the salt air really did a number on the skins. Luckily, there is enough there for patterns to use in making new pieces. The uniqueness of this unit is that it was a very early version of the clock-face pumps. It is still hand operated.  This model was built at a time when most of these pumps were using electric motors to draw the gasoline out of the storage tanks. Very interesting to say the least. The pictures show how it arrived. You will see it as we work on a final finished pump. It will take a rather long time as parts need to be acquired, which presents a challenge.

It’s been a week or two since the Hershey AACA show.  We saw a whole lot of people going through. Seems to have been considerably more that previous years? Sales were better than in the past. Met some new friends and visited with some old ones. One couple was from Israel. A little village outside Tellevieve. The gentleman was an engineer whos’ hobby was restoration on any old machinery. He has photos of his projects and they were impressive. He had restored two early Harley Davidsons, a 1941 US Army Jeep, a 1966 Jaguar and a Corvette. When he has time, he sculpts in metal making very interesting displays. It is so much fun meeting people like this. We have so much in common.

For those of you in the old car hobby, you know that next Wednesday thru Saturday we’ll all gather at Hershey, Pa.  It is the largest auto flea market in the world. There will be cars, car parts, old signs, gaspumps, car jacks, tools, paintings,etc,etc,etc. It is said that if you can’t find it here, it doesn’t exist! There are over 9000 vendors and usually a half million people who come to shop. We see folks from all over the globe. If you want to see a very interesting event…..please stop in. We are set up at C4M1, out front. That it the Chocolate Field North.

I’ll be out of the shop for about a week. If needed, contact me on my cell phone. Be back to work on Sept.23rd.

I remember where I was when John Kennedy was shot.  I remember where I was when the took away Bobby Kennedy.  I remember where I was when they ended the life of Martin Luther King. I’ll ALWAYS remember where I was on 9-11-2001. As the song says….”The day the world stopped turning” Thanks Allan. NEVER FORGET!

Today was the day that we set up in the Antique Center at Savage Mill Mall in Savage, Md.  We were vendors there, about 8 years ago, before we decided to get more heavily into shows throughout the country.  We will still be doing those events but thought why not give retail a try?  We were asked to set up in a central display area for the next two months.  After which, we will move into our own spaces.  Here are two pictures of the display.  If you can, stop by and have a look in person?

As many of you might know, we are a restoration shop. We are open by appointment for retail customers. Beginning on Saturday, Sept.3rd, 2011, we will have a featured display area at one of the areas biggest and classiest antique centers. We will be at The Antique Center at Historic Savage Mill, Savage, Md.    www.AntiqueCenterSavage.com  Beginning in October we will be a regular vendor in the center. If you are in the Baltimore/ Annapolis/ Washington D.C. area, you need to stop by. There is a lot of great stuff here.

In my business, I speak with a wide variety of people.  We discuss the economy, the government situation, our future and that of our children.   A lot of the folks are not from this country originally.  Many are from South America.  In speaking with them, they tell me that all have dreamt of coming to this country to live and work.  As Americans, we have the right to state our opinion…..it is a right.  Imagine living where it is not allowed nor tolerated.  These people are by and far hard workers.  Most are very honest and I’m proud to say that many are my friends.  They are proud of their work, their families and extreemly proud of The United States of America. They believe that if you can’t make it here, you can’t make it anywhere!  These are my thoughts as well.  I am a veteran who believes wholeheartedly in this country.  I’m a proud American!