Old gas stations. Unique models!
Nils-Inge Gustavsson is a retired marketer with a passion for cars and architectural history. For a few years he has “slipped” into recreating old gas stations in a model – scale 1:24, and the models really show that you can combine these interests.
Nils-Inge: “The area of gas stations is often an overlooked part of the urban environment and is often forgotten when talking about architectural history. My interest also extends to the practical part of what it was like to work at a gas station. How were customers received, for example?
In the historical research I have had the pleasure of being able to interview some people who were there at the time. An invaluable source of knowledge.”
News 2025 – Koppartran’s first gas station in Mölndal
Koppartrans 1958
Just in time for the summer of 2025, Nils-Inge has built a model of Koppartrans’ first gas station in Mölndal. It is considered Sweden’s finest gas station. It was opened in 1955 and demolished around 1970. The story behind the the brand Koppartrans is quite intricate and exciting and was the result of a collaboration between Stora Kopparberg and the shipping company Transatlantic.
This was a Swedish gas company that quickly expanded a network of stations. In the 1960s, Shell took over the business and the name disappeared. The gas station itself became known for its special design with rounded facades and many older people who have driven along Mölndalsvägen probably have memories of it.
The model shows the business on a summer day in 1958. The World Cup was in full swing at Gothenburg’s pride, Nya Ullevi. At the gas pump, we see the famous Gothenburger Sten-Åke Cederhök, in an elegant white trench coat and black hat, filling up his red VW Beetle. He has recently become the manager of Lisebergsteatern.
Ljungby’s petrol stations along Highway 1 (R1)
ESSO 1960
ESSO Inaugurated in 1960 in Ljungby. The gas station was started by Karl-Erik Johansson but it was his sons Sten and Knut who ran it together with his brother-in-law Gösta Bondesson. A complete car workshop with associated car wash. Phone number 12345!
Motel Stadt Ljungby
The motel was a popular hangout for the city’s young people with a milk bar and banquet hall. Many famous people took the opportunity to eat and spend the night at this modern motel. At the petrol pump, former world champion in boxing, Ingemar Johansson, is seen, refueling his new Chevrolet Corvette.
GULF 1972
The GULF gas station was built in the late 60s on Märta Ljungbergsvägen in Ljungby. Between the IOGT-courtyard and the local inn, Gästgivaregården. The owner was Karl-Erik Andersson together with his son Lars-Erik (Bullen). In addition to fuel and simple service, vans and smaller trucks were rented out.
The station was a popular meeting place for the city’s car-borne youth. Here we see an active day, in the summer of 1972. Ljungby Gamla Torg has recently been inaugurated and “Bullen” fills up with Premium petrol, at the same time as he checks the oil on a black Ford Mustang.
The car is driven by Agnetha Fältskog (later ABBA), on her way home to Jönköping from Helsingborg, where she played the lead role in the musical “Jesus Christ Superstar”. Traffic was heavy on Europaväg 4, which went straight through Ljungby, so there was a steady stream of customers who needed fuel for their continued journey.
SHELL 1959
The first petrol station in Ljungby. Built in the early 1930s. Just in front of Gästgivaregården. The director was Karl Johannesson “Kalle på Macken”.
The petrol came by rail to Ljungby and had to be pumped over to a truck and driven to the gas station. A time consuming and dangerous job. A laundry hall was also built for the gas station. The service pit was outdoors. The vehicles of that time required careful maintenance.
BP 1977
This BP gas station was built and inaugurated around 1960. On Kånnavägen in Ljungby in direct connection to Riksettan. The first manager was Sigfrid Johnasson, also known as “Ice Cream Sigge” when he sold home-made ice cream in the summer.
The facility was complete with both laundry, full car service and shop.
SuperCharger 2023 (fiction)
A hyper-modern conversion workshop, where cars are converted from fossil fuel to pure electric operation. The facility is planned to be located in central Ljungby. We see the work of converting two sports cars, a Ferrari and a Matra. Demand is high and on a pallet we see new batteries for several other well-known car brands, including Tesla and Volvo.
Standing at one of the charging posts is Gunde Svan from TV4 (former world famous cross-country skier), who converted his fast Porsche GT3 at this facility. He is on his way home from yet another recording of “Prisoners at the Fort.”
