Gotz Gas
Götzis, , Austria
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Here's is an old roadside gas station located in the tiny Austrian town of Gams. The Gotz Gas looks like its straight out of the 1950's era. Now all that's needed are some car hop drive-ins. Many thanks to Richard Weiss for info. 04-09

Here is a gas station that looks like it could have been dropped into Austria straight from a 1950s California roadside. Gotz Gas sports a huge wing-shaped canopy held high above the pumps by a row of angled supports. All that is missing is a car hop carrying a tray of burgers and shakes. 04-09

Gotz Gas
Götzis, , Austria
Photo courtesy Richard Weiss

Built in 1958, the station was originally a Shell and is more properly known as the Tankstelle im Kobel. The canopy was designed to appear light and almost floating, with its thin roof kicked upward at the front. At night, neon once outlined the edge for a little extra roadside zip.

The old Shell eventually closed, and the station sat empty for years. Fortunately, it was restored using the original plans and reopened as a JET station in 2004. The wild canopy was preserved and the property became a protected Austrian architectural landmark. Yes, even a gas station can be a landmark when it looks like this.

UPDATE: The station remains open as a JET station, still pumping gas beneath that soaring 1958 canopy. 08-26