Vintage Hanna Car Wash - [4K] Tunnel View

Thanks to the warm and friendly hospitality by Jack at Tropical Car Wash, we had the privilege of touring and filming this very historically significant wash.
Starting as Big W Car wash in 1968, this site started as a Gulf gas tie-in car wash, as were many of them from the era. This Hanna equipment was installed in the late 1970's.
After a few changes in ownership over the many years of operation, Jack took over from his parents in August. I have personally witnessed the changes he has made to this site, and with the high volume location and upcoming updates, he is on the path to success!
When we arrived near close, I was amazed at how many cars this oldie but goodie was churning out still, after so many years. In fact, it was much busier than my visit during prime hours in 2014. Knowing the incoming comments, I'd like to express that the longer prep time was mainly because I drove two hours through lovebug infested I-75-and once they're baked onto the paint-they're very difficult to remove just by sending it through. The owner really wanted to make a good impression and boy, does he work hard. I have never seen such a hands on wash owner.
We were also surprised to see the addition of express services, largely due to the outbreak of COVID-19, however it's good to have that option as the industry is heavily trending towards strictly express sites. During observation, I noticed there were many express ticket sales going through the wash.
This setup uses blendco chemicals which work great without Reverse Osmosis (Jack is planning on adding this), even with the mid-upgrade drying setup.

[@kingcarwashnfansdrivesetc8364]

Also, I see that they lubricated the screaching side-to-side mitter (the third/last curtain of this tunnel.) I love your videos!

[@michaelwilliams4410]

I know this car wash very well! I live in Tampa, Florida, and this is the Tropical Car Wash (located on the corner of Busch Boulevard & Nebraska Avenue)! I remember when it was called the Big W Car Wash, and it also sold two different brands of gasoline (first Gulf, then Texaco) to its customers! Whenever I drive past this car wash, it doesn't seem to be very busy anymore. I had my 2020 Toyota Corolla washed there once, and I was satisfied. Plus, the woman who owns the car wash told me that morning that she was going to charge me extra for watching my car go through that tunnel (LOL)!

[@CatFusionOFFICIAL]

I saw that car washbtoday by the All time collisions place

[@CaliforniaCarWashes]

This is an awesome vintage tunnel.

[@e.l.norton]

Man, that guy is WORKING.

[@ameliadiaz8040]

An old fashioned classic car wash tunnel.

[@Survivor1547]

Nice Vintage stay safe out there.

[@danlc95]

There needs to be a facility set up with old tunnels that can process cars. A sort of functioning vintage car wash museme. Imagine being a car wash enthusiast, and being able to see rows of functioning equipment from the 50's - 90's, and being able to take your car through them. That would be all sorts of fun!

[@adelaideautowashes]

Good luck finding said old systems.

[@ncautowashes2889]

Crazy to think this tunnel used to have filament.

[@marcdich9066]

Well you confirm my suspicions in this video this is the old big W car wash back in 1986 or 1985 sometime in that timeframe hi hung out at that car wash because I was just fascinated with car washes along a few other things anyway you I was about your age when I was there I know I live in Ohio but I am so glad to see that this car wash is still up and running for as old as it is and I believe it is in good hands and by the way back in the 80s that was at the time the longest car wash tunnel in Tampa and it was extremely busy back then But it seem like to me and I could be wrong that they used to be more wash mechanical equipment in that tunnel you just seem like it was a lot longer back then I could be wrong but anyway I’m glad to see that it’s still up and running have a great week merry Christmas thank you for the video

[@charlieterry6483]

at that point of scrubbing what's the use of sending the already clean vehicle through 🤔

[@christinagoodescarwashvlog4850]

What was with the passenger blower?

[@sunshinesuds]

Christina Goode's Car Wash Vlogs Unfortunately, the electrician flaked half way through the installation. It’s a work in progress, so I’m incredibly excited to return when the wash upgrades are complete. This is somewhat of a progress video.

[@christinagoodescarwashvlog4850]

@@sunshinesuds Oh, okay.

[@greatcitysportaction2289]

That is so rare. Where is this wash?

[@UnitedStatesCarWashChannel26]

Topical Car Wash, Tampa, FL.

[@inactivechannel7029]

Lmao that front to back mitter is AGGRESSIVE.

[@thecarwashelevatorfanatic7433]

THAT’S A LOT OF DAMAGE!! Lol 😂.

[@inactivechannel7029]

The Car Wash /Elevator Fanatic LMAO so true.

[@CaliforniaCarWashes]

Agreed

[@chimperdimper493]

The longest prep ever

[@CaliforniaCarWashes]

It truly is.

[@Mrbushbtalls837]

the old red protovest windshear dryers did not do a great job and the scratching wont be a problem anymore since they replaced it with a sonny's and windshear dryers

[@CaliforniaCarWashes]

I'm sorry to correct you but the old red Proto-Vest dryer was a Proto-Vest 90T Stripper and the new Proto-Vest dryer is a Proto-Vest T-130.

[@vicktordasani1455]

made to last

[@UnitedStatesCarWashChannel26]

EXACTLY!

[@craigrisk7628]

S

[@rhettratliff2958]

Y

[@ianferraris2697]

The poor guy is practically washing the whole car by hand.... what's the point of it even going through the tunnel at this point...

[@sunshinesuds]

Hi Ian! Those rocker panel washers-and many Hanna components-were installed during an era when Nixon was still in office. Equipment then was not as sophisticated with timing and coverage as it is now. Mitter curtains and primitive wrap-around brushes can’t clean wheels or bugs, which are customer expectations. The labor intensive processes from the old days of car washing are what new innovations have replaced with the advent of on-line high pressure and wheel brushes. This mom and pop operation is doing the best they can, considering what private equity investors are doing to our industry.

[@ianferraris2697]

@@sunshinesuds Your right! I just felt bad for the guy busting his hump to get that one car prepped enough to go through. I actually thought all the equipment In that old tunnel was functioning quite well for its age. I'm actually a huge fan of Hanna's Tunnels of the 80's and 90's while I was growing up. I strongly believe that some of the older equipment cleans better than the new equipment used today.

[@CarWashClassics]

Incredible find, you've been doing a great job of capturing some very vintage equipment!

[@Wesumatex2020]

Great video keep up the good work love older car wash systems nice to see this still going strong

[@inactivechannel7029]

Dang, that looks awesome. It's really nice that it's still there.

[@kingcarwashnfansdrivesetc8364]

I love this tunnel! How is this place doing? Did they finish their new dryer install yet?

[@NEPatriot]

That Hanna equipment is a WORKHORSE. But also cool to have the modern-day things like the Proto-Vest and Sonny's blowers. Having the RO water for spot-free rinsing in the future...crucial. But also...so cool to hear like an air brake when the tunnel is fired up.

[@TrashBulldogProductions]

For it's age, it is in very good shape! I remember these Hannah tunnels were common in my area up to around 2005 when they were phased out by more modern Bellanger, Tommy, and Sonny's systems.

[@sapphirebluegabe]

Great video! Keep up the good work!

[@andrewdavis8709]

Love these older systems!!

[@adamssirenadventures6574]

They replace the old touching protovest dryers with T-130 I seen this dryer when I was at whistle stop. Plus they still have the Windshear when i go to whistle stop

[@marcdich9066]

Let me guess you’re in a car wash in Tampa Florida the reason I know this is when I was a teenager I used to hang out at that car wash if I’m corrected or when I mean by I’m correct you are between Florida Avenue and what is known back to the car wash is on the corner of Nebraska Avenue and I believe that would be Bush Boulevard because of the tractor runs right next to the car wash let me know if I’m correct In fact as I’m watching your GoPro video I’ll give you the name of the car wash back then in the 80s it was called big W car wash or better known as big wash car wash I don’t know what it’s called today let me know how correct I am or if I’m way off but I don’t think I’m off I believe this is the car wash although as a teenager it seems to me it was a lot longer than that but that was then

[@CaliforniaCarWashes]

This is definitely one of my favorite car washes ever filmed.

[@colec.5266]

I’m so happy to see that they kept the Hanna equipment and just replaced the dryers! Looks like having those old red ones scratch your car won’t be a problem anymore!

[@britishcarfan9601]

They didn’t scratch your car they just go up your windshield but I’m disappointed that they were replaced than just have them serviced.

[@colecrist6937]

@@britishcarfan9601 they needed new protovest motors so they float better, but protovest has better newer designs now honestly.

[@britishcarfan9601]

@@colecrist6937 Yeah they do. But I prefer the 90T Protovest Stripper dryer. It’s very unique from other dryers. A few of my local car washes have had them but they have been replaced 6 years ago

[@colecrist6937]

@@britishcarfan9601 I work at a car wash in Florida and our old protovest has been there since 1983 and runs like a champ still since we take care of it!

[@britishcarfan9601]

@@colecrist6937 Oh wow that’s awesome!!! That’s good that it’s been taking care of? What’s the name of the car wash that your working at in Florida?

[@oxygen7955]

That worker went the extra mile!!! Niceee

[@ThomasBMawn]

I hope you gave this fella a generous tip!!

[@elliswoodall407]

What a hell of a pre wash

[@Jay-fb2lv]

That’s a really neat old tunnel. Looks like it works pretty good too.

[@bigburgerboi2005]

Is this the Hanna canopy wash?

[@inactivechannel7029]

bigburger boi2005 Yep, it is!

[@BBT609]

I see they had to get rid of the extension dryers. They were shot out for a long time.

[@Schlipperschlopper]

This man does a great job too!

[@britishcarfan9601]

Amazing car wash!! What happened to the ProVest 90T Stripper dryers! I can’t believe they were replaced.

[@CaliforniaCarWashes]

It was replaced because if you watch an older video of this wash the Proto-Vest scratched the car and didn't get most of the water off the car. It kinda needed replacement sadly.

[@britishcarfan9601]

@@CaliforniaCarWashes Yeah I saw that video a while back. Makes sense. Honestly I’d keep the Proto-Vest 90T since it’s a great dryer but that one was in bad shape. I’d refurbish it

[@oxygen7955]

Wow what a cool old car wash!!!

[@biggysmoovemusic7777]

I like this one

[@anthonycicerale1376]

Damn, that was a lot of prep work! I'd hate to see them on a busy day!!!

[@sunshinesuds]

The owner just wanted to put on a good show for the viewers ;)

[@Mrbushbtalls837]

mitter brush goes way too fast