That’s Al, Folks
(images via: Jimmy Mac)
Ayyy! Al’s All Hand Car Wash in Perth Amboy, New Jersey looks more than a little like Al’s Drive-in from Happy Days due to the presence of several vintage vehicles parked outside. They may be old but they sure are clean! A tip of the cap to Flickr user Jimmy Mac (Keyport-Kid) for the swell images above.
Thirsk Quenched
(image via: AquaValet)
Flickr user AquaValet was in the right place at the right time – October 1st, 2009 – when an abandoned California Rohe C28 car wash system at an abandoned petrol station in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, presented itself through a shroud of choking vegetation. Hmm, a lot of water must have percolated deep into the North Yorkshire soil over the years.
(images via: AquaValet)
Located in the town of Thirsk (population 5,000), the car wash opened in 1985 but was abandoned sometime in the waning years of the 20th century. AquaValet was fortunate to have caught the car wash looking in remarkably good condition (barring the Triffid-like undergrowth) shortly before the equipment was removed and likely scrapped.
Ahead Of Its Time
(image via: PreservationNation Blog)
A car wash from 1892? We kid of course – whatever this building’s original purpose was, the re-purposing into a car wash came MUCH later in its long lifespan. You’ll find this intriguing old structure on Potter Street in Saginaw, Michigan, across from the old train station erected in 1881. The building bears a yellow sign stating “Saginaw Arson Watch 2007 – This house is being watched, and so are you!!” Ah, but who’s watching (or washing) the watchers?
Disabled & Deserted
(images via: Chris Jones)
Flickr user Chris Jones (stopherjones) brings us this ethereal yet slightly disturbing image of an abandoned car wash (with complementary handicapped parking) slowly moldering away just off the A64 motorway between Leeds and York, UK. Jones applied subtle image processing techniques to his photos but their essence lies in the post-apocalyptic scenery itself. Car wash and dried? More like car wash & died.
