Couple offers old-fashioned service at the pump

In a world where everything is about doing things in a hurry, one couple in their 70s continues to offer a service which hearkens back to a bygone era.

Bill and Marilyn Russell outside Buckland Auto Service at Nundah. Picture: AAP/Jono Searle

IN a world where petrol stations are all about self service and convenience, one couple in Brisbane’s north continues to offer service which hearkens back to a bygone era.

Bill and Marilyn Russell, both in their 70s, own Buckland Auto Service at Nundah, providing a full driveway service out front and mechanic workshop out back.

The business has been operating since about the 1930s and, according to Mr Russell, nothing much has changed in that time.

Mechanic Bill Russell, 70, works on a car at Buckland Auto Service. Picture: AAP/Jono Searle

He said some patrons referred to the business as Museum Motors and there are indeed some historic gems such as a wheel balancer, tyre changer, three phase welder, and even a cassette player with working radio.

However Mr Russell said the petrol pump was “one of the latest ones – it went in about 1955/56”.

The Gilbarco Salesmaker needs to have a knob turned to reset the meter before the lever can be lifted to pump petrol.

The pump is Mrs Russell’s domain. She also offers to check air in the tyres and look under the bonnet to check water and oil. She used to change tyres as well, but gave that up in her 50s.

Marilyn Russell, 71, outside Buckland Auto Service. Picture: AAP/Jono Searle

Mrs Russell has an old-world way about her.

“I don’t push myself on people and say you have to have this work done. I’ll let them know if the oil’s getting a bit dirty and the car is due for a service but I don’t push them to come here.

“If there’s something wrong with the car I’ll call for Bill and we try to do the right thing by our customers.”

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She said people were surprised if they drove in for the first time and she approached them to ask what they needed.

“They go to serve themselves but I offer to do it because it’s an older pump.

“I like the communication aspect of the job.

“We have our regulars, we have a couple of 90 year olds who come here for petrol. A lot of people don’t check their cars as much as they should.”

The business doesn’t sell grocery items or food but does have a small fridge with drinks.

And it has a workshop where Mr Russell services cars in very familiar surrounds.

Marilyn and Bill Russell with the Gilbarco Salesmaker petrol pump which was installed in the mid-1950s. Picture: AAP/Jono Searle

His father Jack worked as a mechanic there for years before buying the business in the mid 1950s.

“He got together with my uncle Frank Ward (mum’s brother) and they ran it. I worked around the pumps.

“I lived above the shop with my family from the time I was five until I married.

“Dad died in 1971 and I worked here with my uncle and mum Eileen. We (Marilyn and I) took it over in 1983.”

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Mr Russell works on all car models including vehicles owned by enthusiasts such as a 1918 Ford Model T, a 1920-21 Indian motorbike, 1926 three wheel Morgan, 1972 four wheel Morgan and a 1951 Singer.

The couple will celebrate their 48th wedding anniversary on April 8 but have no plans to retire.

“We’re a team and while we can do what we can do, we will,” Mrs Russell said.