Art & Inspiration Swap meet score

Couldn’t get my wallet out of my pocket fast enough!

 

Well, I’m guessing it’s not a toilet bowl float.

 

Should have offered $5.

 

Ok. I give up
Enema bag????

 

It's the elusive, orange patina, waduzit. You cain't hardly get them kind no more.

 

Old bomber air tank...neat...

 

Looks like a B-29 Flying Fortress crew oxygen tank, I say that's a huge score. HRP

 

I have one I still use as a spare air tank. I’ve also used it when painting as a giant water trap in series with real filters & traps.

My dad bought this tank as surplus along with a surplus air brake compressor. Powered by an electric motor, growing up, that was our air compressor.

 

My dad had a similar Rube Goldberg setup. He driveway-painted a lot of cars with it. I still have the tank. Going rate on these tanks is $100+, so this was a nice little score.

 

I have one also. Grandpa mad a portable air tank out of it. Can't bring myself to get rid of it.

 

Over the years I've picked up a few of these at swap meets, but never used one in a car yet. I always thought they were neat, and really racy looking when used on the right car. I've sold some for big bucks too (much more than OP's $10). A couple weeks ago we had a couple cool days in the middle of summer so I started to organize the storage space in the shop attic. I started putting a couple air tanks in one corner, but then found another. And another, And another. Then the same kind but in a smaller size. Stacked all together I have around eight of the things, at last count.

Careful, I think they breed like rabbits.

 

So what is the big attraction to these things? Looks like rat rod-type stuff?

 

I saw one at the swap meet in SWMO last Friday. It was not $10.

 

They have been used as gas tanks on real race cars since just after WWII.

 

Nice score! truly priced below market

 

May dad was in the Army Air Corp and was a left blister gunner on a B-29. Before he passed away The Confederate Air Fotce brought a Flying Forttress to the Anderson Airport and we went to check it out. dad explained all the questions I had, that's when I learned about the tanks.

I supprised him with a short flight ride they offered and he was a little apprahensive before the flight but when he got back on the ground he was as exited as a kid at Christmas.

I ask him what was the best part of the flight and he said, " Too many to count but the one thing that stood out was NO FLACK, with a big grin on his face. " HRP

 

These tanks are used for fuel tanks on very traditional post war race cars and hotrods. To me not at all ratrod material. To me rattods use sawblades, log chains, whiskey bottles and things that shouldn’t be used on a car.

 

Rat rod? I think not but don't take my opinion. Check out @cornfieldcustoms Bonneville car for another opinion.

 

During WWII we had two large military airfields in the area. When I was growing up in the 50's I think every garage/repair shop in the area had a couple of the above tanks converted to air bubbles. Also a lot of farmers, I know we had one on the farm. Wonder where they all went?

 

Hey @HOTRODPRIMER it's good to see you posting again!!

 

They instantly pass the eye test, regardless of how or what they are ultimately used on. $10 is a great deal on one, even better if you eventually find a use for it.

 

They are in Alchemy's garage!!

 

With out a doubt, that is indeed, the best $10.00 you have ever spent!

 

I got one for twenty bucks one time

 

I will give you the opportunity to double your money, I will give you 20$ for it.lol

 

Careful application of carb cleaner on a paper towel might take that orange paint off. Just blot it!

 

I bought this one a couple months ago with an old air compressor pump and cart. I got the red air tank with it for $20. I have 3 of them now!

 

Have a few and have sold a few. Still find them now and then.

 

I have this one lying right by my desk & for the life of me, I can't quite remember why. I do remember that I paid $30 for it at a non-car flea market. I think they produced different sizes. Mine's about 2'. I swear I recall reading somewhere that they were just used for compressed air, not actual oxygen, per se. Now, let's see, why did I put it there....and what the hell am I gonna do with it?

 

I was told to get rid of some trash in an old lab at work... and one of these was mounted on the wall. That, and about a half ton of other neat stuff went home with me. Definitely used for O2, mine still had the original signwriting on it.