IOLA, WI – While the spotlight at the Iola Car Show often shines on rows of classic cars and roaring engines, one of the most memorable attractions is quietly nestled off to the side: a fully restored vintage Mobil gas station that’s as much about nostalgia as it is about heritage.
The station is owned and curated by Larry Fechter, a senior advisor to the show, welcomes visitors with stories and a genuine passion for preserving the past.
“When I do bring people in, I watch their reaction,” Fechter said. “And I can see that there are certain things in here that connect.”
Far more than just a photo opportunity, the gas station is deeply personal for Fechter. The space is a tribute to his mother, who ran a business in the 1940s with her partner. He’s transformed the station into what he affectionately calls a “man cave-style restaurant,” rich with memorabilia and stories that reflect their entrepreneurial spirit.
“It’s very simple,” Fechter explained. “But it’s really in dedication to my mother and her partner that ran a business in the forties.”
Visitors who step inside are greeted with working garage equipment, vintage signage, and functioning gas pumps, some of which cleverly double as shower fixtures. It’s a full-sensory time capsule that blends authenticity with creativity.
As planning gets underway for the 54th Annual Iola Car Show next summer, Fechter’s Mobil station is expected to return once again, ready to welcome curious visitors who take a moment to stop, look closer, and discover the history hidden in plain sight.
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