BACKFIRE

SPOTTED: FOUR-DOOR 4-4-2s

In response to John Singleton’s letter in HMM #194 about four-door Oldsmobile 4-4-2s: Yes, they do exist. This is a fully documented example that I saw in person here in the Richmond Virginia area.

John Dyke Via email

SERVICE STATION MEMORIES

There are many reasons why readers love this magazine, but one of mine is this: you bring back many fond memories, whether about driving cars or just being around them. Jim McGowan’s column on service stations really hit home. At the ripe age of 12, I “worked” at a small-town Pure station (one bay, two pumps) pumping gas, washing cars, and fixing bicycle flats. Sweet memories: getting fussed at by a Beetle owner because I couldn’t find the gas cap, then again for not releasing the latch before trying to close the hood; being shown where the filler cap was on a 1956 Bel Air (behind the taillight); and, yes, looking through the windshield at pretty girls while supposedly cleaning it (and missing many spots)! Great article about service stations and service in general, and how that world is going away. That is sad, but Jim’s piece certainly was not.