A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Through high school and beyond (from the mid 60's to mid 70's), I grew up with a group of guys who were as car-centric as I was (or still am https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif). We mainly hung around at one small Union 76 filling station and car repair shop, both during and after (many nights WAAAYYYYYYY after https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif) normal business hours. The station owner’s son was one of our group. Many of us have remained friends and in semi-regular contact with each other, while others have headed off in other directions, as often happens in life. About 20 years ago we had a “Reunion” of the old gas station gang at our town’s annual car show, and everyone who was able to attend had a great time. Many of the guys brought their cars to that show.

Over the past winter, several of us got talking and decided it might be about time for another “Reunion”. My wife and one other wife were the driving force https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif behind the latest “Reunion”, which happened recently at a Cruise Night at the local A&W Restaurant. It’s always fun to get together with old friends, and everyone had a great time. Once again, many of us brought cars to this Reunion, and I thought I might share some pictures with you.

The restaurant owner was kind enough to welcome us https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...rd/tn_sign.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

This 73 Z28 was bought new by the son of the Gas Station owner, and sold a couple years later to another one of the guys, who still owns it today https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...rd/tn_TomW.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Marv worked part time at the station, and bought this Corvette in about 70 or 71....still has it today https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...rd/tn_Marv.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Ken worked part time at the station back then, before and after his tour of duty in Vietnam https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif, and had a beautiful 63 Impala SS then. He married one of the station owner's daughters https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif He no longer has a car, but this is their son's Mustang, which runs a very healthy sounding small block Ford https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...ard/tn_Ken.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Dennis is the son of the station owner (Donald) and this is his current Nova https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif Dennis hasn't changed a bit...still trades cars so fast you need a scorecard to keep track of em all https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/haha.gif Matter of fact, this car might belong to someone else by now https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/laugh.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...tn_DennisM.jpg
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1..._Denniseng.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

This is Rick's 64 El Camino, a long term project he finished up just last year https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif Back in the day, Rick had a new 70 Nova SS, L78/T400. With a few mods it ran high 12's, which was a very quick street car back then https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif It met an untimely fate with a telephone pole https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/frown.gif.....luckily Rick fared much better than the Nova did.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...d/tn_RickC.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...tn_Rickeng.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

This is Dave's Nova, powered by a healthy 383 small block https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif Definitely has the stance nailed https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif Back in the day, Dave had a W31 Cutlass that screamed https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/burnout.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...d/tn_DaveL.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...tn_Daveeng.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Drew no longer has a car, but his daily driver Blazer is sharp sporting TT II's https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif At one point Drew owned the Yenko Deuce now owned by Dan Hornback https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...rd/tn_Drew.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Denny didn't hang at the station with us, but we've known him so long it almost seems like he did. He recently bought this 24,000 original mile Nova....paperwork, 6 cyl/PG, add-on air. Previous owner added a few chrome touches under the hood, but otherwise it's relatively untouched https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1.../tn_DennyF.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n_Dennyeng.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

That's "Neat" that the group can still get together with the same common interests...... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

Ken https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Jeff's loaded low mileage LS5 Chevelle https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...d/tn_JeffB.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Francis' early (33?) Ford....this car gets driven a LOT https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...tn_Francis.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Tom's 66 GTO, which he's owned since 1975. It's as clean underneath as it is on top https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...rd/tn_TomK.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

John's 65 Chevelle. First time I've seen this car and it is stunning https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/drool.gif John has had a lot of black cars, and they all look this good https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...d/tn_JohnR.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...tn_Johneng.jpg

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...n_Johnside.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Finally.....the guest of honor, Donald (in striped shirt), who owned the gas station back then. He put up with a lot of antics from a bunch of smart ass know-it-all punks (us) but was always good about it. He did tend to get a bit mad when the wind would blow beer cans and wine bottles off the roof of the gas station....wonder who threw them up there https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/dunno.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/confused.gif He also sold us a lot of gasoline and did repairs when we'd tear up our cars, until we all learned to work on them ourselves. He's long since retired, and now he and my father-in-law trade days as the school crossing guard at the end of my street https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/flag.gif Thanks for the memories, Donald https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1.../tn_theMan.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Thanks for the story and the pics. You are a https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif guy! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

This is a great storyline Bill, thanks for sharing https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

That Pritchard throws a mean party..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...irrel5B15D.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Not the damn squirrel again... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v6...irrel5B15D.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

That's not me.....I don't smoke https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/tongue.gif

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

A couple more I didn't get to earlier today....

This is Arlan's International Harvester pickup with small block Chevy power. Arlan always did like to be a little different https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/shocked.gif He was the only one of us with a Ford back in the day, a 4 speed 289 66 Mustang https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...tn_Arlan-1.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

This is one of the only photos of the gas station that any of us have ever found. It was taken in the summer of 73. Eight of us (myself included) bought brand new 73 Z28 Camaros that year....4 of them are pictured here. Also visible, on the far right out on the road, is Brian's 327/4 speed 62 Biscayne, and barely visible behind the Camaros is Mike's 62 Corvette.

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...satDonalds.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Bill is that the White Hen now?? Very cool photo. Would have liked to come out for that event. Bet there were tons of great stories being shared...

Is that a white stripe deleted Z28? How bout some more details about those cars in the pic?

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Darren,

Yes, that's where the White Hen is now. You're right, there were quite a few stories & memories shared last Saturday night https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

The pictured Camaros: in the foreground is Jack's maroon RS/Z28; next is Ron's white Type LT/Z28 w/o stripes; Rick's black (special order paint, as black was not a standard color in 73) Type LT/RS/Z28; and finally Tom's red Z28. Not pictured are my dark blue Z28, Bruce's maroon Type LT/Z28, and Dennis' bright blue Type LT/Z28 (pictured first in this thread). And my bad, the 8th vehicle was not a Camaro, it was Danny's dark blue Formula 455 Firebird https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/blush.gif I'm a bit surprised to see Brian's 62 Biscayne still around in this time frame. Right around the time of this picture he was working at the local Chevy dealership (Ed Fanning) and he bought an L79 66 Chevy II SS that someone traded in on a new car https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif Brian still has it, although it has morphed into a chassised race car over the years https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/frown.gif He also still has the 68 L89 Camaro SS I sold him in 1980. Mike's 62 Vette is long gone but he currently has a 71 Corvette, a street rod, and a 67 Buick GS400 ragtop.

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

I was thinking the same thing Bill.
Look at those older Chevs on the road,that was common around here too in 73. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/cool.gif

That Union 76 sphere would bring some big doe today.Faithful petroleum collectors are petitioning to keep that signage going,as Conocophillips,(Phillips 66) has obtained the rights to UNION 76,and just the spring began tearing down each 76 sphere one by one,to replace with a mundane square sign.

"He also still has the 68 L89 Camaro SS I sold him in 1980."
Is that the same Camaro you were showing Tom P. & I at SChevy Joliet in 2000?

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

[ QUOTE ]
Rick's black (special order paint, as black was not a standard color in 73) Type LT/RS/Z28

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmmm. A friend of mine ordered a Black RS/Z in '73 and still owns it (or what's left of it). I wasn't aware it was a special order color that year. His was a non-stripe car as well. I have pix of it somewhere sitting next to my '68 427 Corvette.

Great story Bill. Obviously you're aware of how lucky you are to still have all these friends around, and still sharing your common love for the cars. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif to all of you.

Nice old Binder too. I'm a big fan of the 'Dare to be Different Crowd'............ well, to a point! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Great thread, great pics....great friends! .
So no more pics or anything on that mid year 'Vette coupe...or the '69 'Velle rag? . Is that a '48 Plymouth Business coupe behind the Goat...and do I see the tail of an Anglia poking out there too....what's up front? . Notice I'm not asking about the '57 Ford or the Rustangs...not much of a Ford guy although that '49 Merc and the '49 Lincoln look interesting....also the 33/34 2-door sedan is pretty cool! .
And is that another '62 Chevy at the curb in the period shot? .
https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ins/3gears.gif
~ Pete

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

[ QUOTE ]
"He also still has the 68 L89 Camaro SS I sold him in 1980."
Is that the same Camaro you were showing Tom P. & I at SChevy Joliet in 2000?

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes, it is. The sad thing is, as each year passes, I'm afraid it is more & more likely to end up another one of those cars that will never be restored https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/frown.gif

Pretty interesting about the Union 76 globes. One of those would be cool hanging from the ceiling of a shop/showroom, provided you had enough ceiling height https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Rick's black (special order paint, as black was not a standard color in 73) Type LT/RS/Z28

[/ QUOTE ]

Hmmmm. A friend of mine ordered a Black RS/Z in '73 and still owns it (or what's left of it). I wasn't aware it was a special order color that year. His was a non-stripe car as well. I have pix of it somewhere sitting next to my '68 427 Corvette.

Great story Bill. Obviously you're aware of how lucky you are to still have all these friends around, and still sharing your common love for the cars. https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...ns/worship.gif to all of you.

Nice old Binder too. I'm a big fan of the 'Dare to be Different Crowd'............ well, to a point! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Not sure if the special order color would make them a 'COPO' of sorts or not https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...s/confused.gif Back then, I had no idea what a Trim Tag was, let alone know enough to look for things on it. Might be interesting to see what your friend's car has on its Trim Tag for color.

Indeed, I am very aware how lucky we all are to remain on good terms after all these years https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/smile.gif We mailed notices of the Reunion to 32 people, and 25 of them showed up.... including Bob who came from Colorado https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif That's way more than we were even hoping for https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif There were six additional people who were not part of what we considered the 'regular crowd', who were not mailed a notice, but showed up anyway when they got wind that this was being held. We were glad to see them, too!

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Pete,

Sorry, no pics of the Vette coupe as it was not part of our crowd https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/blush.gif The Chevelle rag is my car, so I didn't take any pics of it. Yes, the Anglia belongs to a guy I know and it's a full tilt nostalgia rod....straight axle and small block Chevy powered. Francis' 33 or 34 sedan is an awesome car...so many details on it that are outstanding https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...iggthumpup.gif He is currently working on a 52 Chevy that he intends to be a serious contender for the Riddler award https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...emlins/eek.gif And yes, that sure looks like another 62 Chevy in the curb lane....good eyes!

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

That's probably Marilee drag'n.

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

Bill, thanks for sharing the pics and the stories. It sounds like y'all had (and have) a heck of a crew!

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

While I did smoke back then I don't recall drinking Bacardi rum...think that's the empty bottle... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/no.gif Marilee

P.S. Stay tuned, a group shot of Bill and the whole crowd will be coming...wish there was a "then and now shot" to compare hair loss etc... https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...mlins/grin.gif

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

[ QUOTE ]
http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1...satDonalds.jpg

[/ QUOTE ]

This photo really got me. My first job, at 16, was pumping gas at the Union 76 on San Pablo Avenue in Richmond, CA, back in 1979. My mom and dad had all their service done there and the owner was a great old guy. We went through the second OPEC crisis in 1979, the passing of $1.00/gallon, and the move to all self-serve service during my time there ('79-'81). The best part was working on our own cars in the bays and all the horsing around we did after 5:00 when the owner had gone home. My buddies often came by after dinner (station was open 'til 8:00) and we'd goof-off with our cars. One evening we pumped about a half-gallon of gas on the smooth concrete of the pump area and did looooong power-brake burnouts. My buddy with the '66 Chevelle (350/Th-400/Posi) did the best one. The gas made it so slippery that we had to hold the car in place or else it would have done a 360. After several minutes the concrete under the tires started breaking up from the heat! After we had all had a turn wasting our tires we stopped and parked our cars. Just then a Richmond cop pulls in and stops over by us and our cars. He had a smile on his face and he just said: "Not cool." We shrugged the way 16-18 year-old boys do and he left. The next morning when I came to work I saw the dozens of Posi tire marks all over the concrete pump area and I got a big lump in my throat. The owner never said a word! The areas where the concrete had been damaged are still there. Of all the jobs I've had, pumping gas at the 76 was probably the most fun.

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

And finally.....a group photo of most of the gang who were present at the Reunion. Glad to see the pictures and story were enjoyed by many of you https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif

http://i70.photobucket.com/albums/i1.../tn_group1.jpg

Re: A Reunion of Long Time Friends
 

What a cool story! Was that Marilee who posted a few posts up from this one? Hi-ya Marilee! https://www.yenko.net/ubbthreads/imag...lins/beers.gif