I found this pic on the web, all it said was "gas station, 1927". Obviously, it has been colorized. It looks like a chassis Dyno to me. What does the hamb think tank say?
This is just a half guess- the writing on the can on the center left says something about measuring leakage past pistons. So I'm thinking this ramp thing with wheels would be used to load the engine hard, and whatever was on the can thing would measure the amount of blow by, telling the mechanics how much the engine was worn. If it's something else, well, that's my story and I'm sticking with it!
Maybe a water dyno? As a kid in the 70's one of the local truck repair shops had one..the shop had been there for way before I was born. INteresting what you find out.
I can't read any of the writing on the picture because I'm just on my cell phone. But that advertisement is definitely it. It's amazing what you guys on the hamb come up with! Looks like it is some kind of a Dyno that they are using to sell oil
Did Texaco sell Havoline oil? Seems they did. Just looking at the Texaco gas sign in the background. Our local Co-op always sold Havoline. Lippy
I'd like to see that in operation once as the operator guy says...uh oh, looks like excessive ring leakage. Here you need Havoline!!! And the owner remarks....naw, it was smoking when I came in. LOL lol.
Yes it was a gimmick.... but that contraption was a chassis dyno! May have been accurate or been able to “ adjust” a little. I bet it was expensive! Would have to sell a bunch of oil to pay for that! Bones