Vintage Photo of the day

[Uncle Buck]

My first full time job as a mechanic back in the 1970s was in an old independent garage that had been built post-WWII. All the lifts were in-ground hydraulic units with the oil tank placed above ground next to air valve system. The seals leaked and the thing was sketchy as heck, but we made do.

So many shops had those kind of lifts in the day. I think they were the lions share, but i could be wrong.

[Uncle Buck]

Quite impressive for those ever blessed to see one of these dinosaurs under power.

[goodfellow]

Quite impressive for those ever blessed to see one of these dinosaurs under power.

They were great lifts, but the lifting platforms were an "X" design, so getting full access to the undercarriage for exhaust and drive train work was sometimes quite difficult.

Also, when the seals on the rams leaked above ground, it was very dangerous to work underneath those things. It was very slippery and you had to watch yourself. In addition the leaking hydraulic oil would eat up a pair of workboot soles and uppers in short order. Other than that they were perfect  --- LOL

[j.a.f.e.]

I recall those lifts well. As a kid worked for a guy that had a couple. One had drive on ramps and one was an H shape not the X. It also had a latch on the side bar that would not allow the lift to lower unless moved. Another place had one that slowly leaked and one time someone left a stand under the car before leaving. Quite a surprise in the morning and it took about a day to get the car free. 

[Muddy]

My neighbor growing up had an auto repair shop we would ride our bikes around and he had the H style in ground lifts

[Muddy]

[Muddy]

[Muddy]

My dad collects Coleman lanterns. But I gotta find him one of those. Anyone know what kind?

[Uncle Buck]

That is a new one on me! I don't make a point of collecting them, but between falling heir to a few and saving several that neighbors put out as trash I have 8-10 or so of them.

I bet your dad has some interesting ones though.

[goodfellow]

That was my family - picicing and camping out of a '64 Galaxie Country Squire. Sitting in the back on long trips was torture,

Mom always packed the Coleman equipment right on top of the pile to get the food and the evening lights going ASAP.