Before & after vehicles and locations

They did this one up right.







The Jones Motor Company was originally a gas station, car dealership, and repair shop that served motorists along Route 66 and the early suburbs on the East Mesa. Ralph Jones, the founder and president of the dealership, was a big advocate in promoting Route 66. He was the President of the Route 66 Association, President of the Chamber of Commerce, and the Chairman of the New Mexico State Highway Commission during the late 1940s.

Architect Tom Danahy designed the building for Jones in 1939. Danahy is also known for his design of the El Rancho Market for Barber's grocery chain, at Yale and Central. Because of his connections to many of the richer families in Albuquerque, he also designed many of their homes mostly in the Country Club area in the '30s and early '40s.

The Motor Company was built on a corner, so it would be accessible from two sides, and had gas pumps at an angle to the building, so motorists could drive up to them easily. Later two buildings were added, one completely separate one in 1942 and the canopy in 1951? The building has several features associated with the Moderne style, including the stepped tower over the central part of the building and the curved walls.

Since its life ended as a service station in 1957, the building housed many other retailers, including a Goodwill and Furniture mart. In 2000, after being vacant for several years, Kelly's Brewery restored the building and converted it into a restaurant and brewpub. They returned much the building to its original design, including adding a Texaco gas pump in the front and preserving the garage doors.

http://www.kellysbrewpub.com/

 

I wish, they would put back that cool-looking streetlight, at least

 

That's Kellys! Good grub and beer too!

What's neat about it above the front entrance, the have a neon sign that should read "Ford" in the classic Ford logo type, but they changed it to "Food". Really cool stuff - I'm glad no one from Ford got into a tizzy over copyright stuff. They also have large pics of the dealer in operation all over the dining room. Joe JMT455 and I ate there in the showroom when he came down to fetch the Caballero.

When posting those old pics someone should put where they are. I am wondering if the Canadian scene with the Meteor is up in Toronto?

 

A threefer.
Still a Firestone store!





In 1926, Firestone began building one-stop service stores, self-contained service centers selling everything a car would need: gas, oil, tires, and replacement parts. This service station on the corner of Bedford Avenue and Empire Boulevard must have been one of the first, and still looks brand new in 1928, when this photograph was taken. The address is 1750 Bedford Avenue.

It’s been designed in the new and very modern Art Deco style, with bold styling, lots of glass and class. A customer could also buy bicycle horns and supplies there, as well. Something for everyone. The “Firestone” lettering in their signature font is also quite boldly placed on the roof, very identifiable and easy to see, along with the other signage. The station was right in front of Ebbetts Field.

Fast forwarding to the present: it’s still there! It’s been slightly modernized, but is amazingly intact, now with the towers of the Ebbetts Field Apartments in the background. Just amazing. This service station, still belongs to Firestone, which is now Breakstone Tires, and is probably 85 years old. With all the changes coming to Empire Boulevard, I fear it probably won’t survive unless people feel that it might be worth protecting. Gas stations of any style or variety are becoming endangered species, even as more people have cars. Go figure.

 

My hometown Ford dealership, Valley Ford.

 

Ok I have one from the Detroit Area, Also preserved, The Vinsetta Garage was a Fixture on Woodward Ave in Berkley MI for over 50 years. Some shots thru time, Shortly after it opened

Some time in the early 1970's

Shortly after it closed in 2016

And how it looks today as a Restaurant

 

I thought the end of the overhang's neon read "CARBURRITOS."

 

"Carburritos--more gas for less money."

 

Hall Chevrolet, Prosser, WA.

 

Fred Becker Plymouth - Dodge, 225 E. Main Street, Walla Walla, WA.

 

Firehouse at the corner of South 3rd Street and Walnut, Yakima WA.
Now home of Bowlby's Gun and Pawn.

 

Repost in this thread

 

Wow, great photography, catching a big Buick wagon in the last pic that resembles the one in the middle pic!