. Spot The Studebaker . .

[aarrggh]

[bezhawk]

Appears to be a 51 (larger tail light lens) to the right (background)

[COMMANDERPINK1]

ESSO-blend 9 quality gasolines ????????? Im a little younger than this photo or for ESSO gasolines. What were the blends that made up the nine?
Tom

[Jim B PEI]

Appears to be a 51 (larger tail light lens) to the right (background)

Ah, the 51 Studebaker parked under the spreading and majestic elm! How we date ourselves (bonus Groucho Marxism: At our age, the only dates were likely to get are ourselves or carbon)

Bonus fun question: How many of the cars visible in that picture are now "orphans", more or less?

[Pat Dilling]

For the bonus, in addition to the Studebaker the majority of the rest seem to be Pontiacs and Oldsmobiles. So all but a couple are orphans, I am not sure what the car at the far pump is. The 9 blends had a dial that you selected and it blended different amounts of premium (ethyl) and regular. I don't think ESSO was the only company that did that, maybe Sunoco too.

Pat

[BobPalma]

I am not sure what the car at the far pump is. The 9 blends had a dial that you selected and it blended different amounts of premium (ethyl) and regular. I don't think ESSO was the only company that did that, maybe Sunoco too.

Pat

The car at the far pump is a 1957 Mercury. I think we can see enough of the canted cove at the top of the quarter panel (toward the end of the cove) where the front end of a rocket ship ornament would be on a 1958 model, so it is probably a 1957. ('Can't see any hint of a 1958 rocket ship, I mean, so as to rule out a '58.)

Yes, in the midwest at least, Sunoco also blended their gasoline at the pump. Obviously, the tanker driver delivered only two grades of gasolines to stations such as this; regular and "ethyl." The pumps merely changed the ratio of each being vended to achieve the "custom blend your car required." BP

[BobPalma]

How many in the photo are orphans? If you mean makes no longer in production, all of them! Packard, Oldsmobile, Studebaker, Mercury, and Pontiac: They're all gone!

The only struggle I'm having is the car at the rear on the extreme left, with the white top. Tentatively, I'm identifying it as a Pontiac, based on the center of the dog-dish hub cap and the impossible-to-read script on the LF fender. I'd be open to further opinions on that car, though. BP

[BobPalma]

More quizzing, referencing all the cars in the photo:

1. Which make had "Dream Car Design?"

2. Which make was"the next look" in cars?

3. Which make had Rocket power?

4. It was said of which make, "Dollar for dollar, you can't beat a ________________"

5. Which make had an all-new design by John Reinhart?

[fargoguy]

Bob,
That car in the upper corner looks at first glance to me to be either Rambler or Checker? Wheel opening is wierd..........

[fargoguy]

More quizzing, referencing all the cars in the photo:

1. Which make had "Dream Car Design?"

2. Which make was"the next look" in cars?

3. Which make had Rocket power?

4. It was said of which make, "Dollar for dollar, you can't beat a ________________"

5. Which make had an all-new design by John Reinhart?

1. 57-58 Mercury
2. 50-51 Studebaker
3. Oldsmobile
4. Pontiac
5. Packard (1951?)

[Jim B PEI]

Thank you Bob Palma!

I thought--hey, that's a Mercury behind the pump, and then I couldn't see a single non-orphan car. Wonder how many others would get that? I shoulda known....

Sunoco--at least in Canada--was the only 'recent' blender of gasoline at the pumps. In Canada, Sunoco is a regional brand, and not found east of Ontario. Still, its a far cry from what used to be available from Sunoco at 104 I think. Perhaps the testing standards/rating for gasoline have changed, but I think that the current maximum is 94 or 96 Octane and that is still from Sunoco. Engine management technology has a lot to do with it. I sometimes drive a 2003 Corolla with 10.25:1 compression & VVTi which runs on 'regular' ie 87, even the ethanol contaminated stuff. Now, if our Studebakers had this technology, my 259 Wagonaire would have about 350 hp and be getting 50 mpg+ with the overdrive...

[BobPalma]

1. 57-58 Mercury
2. 50-51 Studebaker
3. Oldsmobile
4. Pontiac
5. Packard (1951?)

Bingo, Evan; right on all counts, including the 1951 Packard.

You get a POOP (Prize Of Outrageous Proportions, per Dick Quinn.) <GGG> BP

[BobPalma]

Bob,
That car in the upper corner looks at first glance to me to be either Rambler or Checker? Wheel opening is wierd..........

Very possible, Evan. BP

[2moredoors]

Thank you Bob Palma!
Sunoco--at least in Canada--was the only 'recent' blender of gasoline at the pumps. In Canada, Sunoco is a regional brand, and not found east of Ontario. Still, its a far cry from what used to be available from Sunoco at 104 I think.

Most of the Sunoco Stations in Southern Ontario are now operating as Petro Canada (one bought the other or they merged). I think, but now sure that the old Sunoco Stations that are now Petro Canada have blended pumps. Also some other companies (Pioneer) offer limited blends. I used diesel so I don't pay too much attention until I have to fill up the old cars.

[8E45E]

The only struggle I'm having is the car at the rear on the extreme left, with the white top. Tentatively, I'm identifying it as a Pontiac, based on the center of the dog-dish hub cap and the impossible-to-read script on the LF fender. I'd be open to further opinions on that car, though. BP

It appears to be a 1955 Canadian Pontic Pathfinder. http://www.flickr.com/photos/carphot...7623228314564/

That must be a 'border town' where that pic was taken.

Craig