1959 Texaco gas station blueprints - build it yourself

[ChrisBcritter]

Several years ago I obtained copies made from exterior blueprints for a three-bay Texaco station.They were dated from January 8, 1959 for a project to be built in Corpus Christi. They have all the dimensions for the building on all four sides, which is just what you'd need to build one in scale. I scanned the copies and made them as readable as possible, but the files are very large (8 files @ 7 to 10 MB each) so I can't post them here, so I made screenshots:

Now if these aren't readable enough, let me know and I can email the original large files to anyone who'd like to build one. The original blueprints were sold in an eBay auction; I got outbid but contacted the seller and asked if he would sell me some copies. He made them and sent them to me for free! So this is my way of paying it forward. I wish there were interior measurements as well, but hopefully you can guesstimate those.

The building itself looks to me to be nearly identical to the Buddy L kit with one more service bay; I imagine you could tweak the measurements to make a one- or two-bay station. Happy modeling!

P.S.: This former station in South Carolina is very similar except for the canopy:

http://forums.aaca.org/attachments/f169/11487d1181336318-ghostly-gas-stations-442242-texacoonebay.jpg

Edited July 18, 2013 by ChrisBcritter

[Harry P.]

Chris... thanks for the post. Very generous and thoughtful of you.

[GTMust]

Great reference information........ Thanks. Tony

[Repstock]

There is a station near me that appears to be built to these specs exactly, except for just two bays. With these becoming available, am I to conclude that I MUST build this? Such riches in reference materials I rarely see. Hmmmm....

By the way, If someone else also wants to build this, I can fill in the details concerning the interior layout.

[mikemodeler]

There is a station near me that appears to be built to these specs exactly, except for just two bays. With these becoming available, am I to conclude that I MUST build this? Such riches in reference materials I rarely see. Hmmmm....

By the way, If someone else also wants to build this, I can fill in the details concerning the interior layout.

Tom,

To be honest, you are among the few on here whom I have seen create a diorama or model to such exact detail that it isn't a question of if you MUST, it is a question of WHEN !!!!!!!!

I think it is great that the plans are available for us to duplicate something that is fast becoming just a memory for many.

Edited July 19, 2013 by mikemodeler

[gasser59]

These plans also match one we had in my hometown in SW Iowa. I believe it had two bays though. This needs to be built since such complete and authentic plans are now available and I can think of no one who could do it justice but Tom. I would love to build this but I flat out don't have the room unless I built in in N scale and that's out of the question. LOL

Edited July 20, 2013 by gasser59

[Repstock]

It's a big station in 1/25 scale

[Eshaver]

Yes, you take three Bays Tom , trust me , it's big . I did a Crown Central two bay :

[ChrisBcritter]

Boy, that is big, Tom. Wonder how close the Buddy L station matches up to it (figuring in the extra bay?)

[charlie8575]

Thanks!

Just for giggles, I calculated up the approximate measures:

28-17/32" L x 12-23/32" D x 6-15/16" H.

Certainly not small, but what an impact!

Charlie Larkin

[Danno]

Very cool stuff.

[Repstock]

Boy, that is big, Tom. Wonder how close the Buddy L station matches up to it (figuring in the extra bay?)

As one who had the Buddy L station, I will say this: You can use it in 1/25 scale, but I think some dimensions were "compacted" to make it a more manageable size. The bay doors are narrower than any real ones I've encountered, the restroom doors are the same (though in real life, they were not wide). It's a great looking station, I just think they fudged some dimensions so it wouldn't be too big. The differences offended my eye, which led me to sell it some time ago. I'd rather make my own anyway.

Edited July 23, 2013 by Repstock

[JohnB]

Chris, I know this is an old post, but is it still possible to get copies of the blueprints for the 3 bay Texaco station?

[dragcarz]

Awesome, l was able to print them out legibley. Thanks for sharing!

[ChrisBcritter]

Since there's more interest in these blueprints, I created a Flickr album for all eight files in (hopefully) the original size. You can download them here:

https://flic.kr/s/aHsm4RYm7d

Good luck and I hope to see the results!

[gasser59]

Thanks Chris. Very helpful to have them on Flickr.

[DrKerry]

Very kool, will save a copy tonight when I get home!!!! Thanks Chris!!!!