email: roadarch@outlook.com

Mid-Century Modern Car Washes (page 1)

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The Robo Automatic Car Wash chain was founded in the late 1950s and flourished in the 1960s. In addition to locations across the United States, there were others in Canada, Australia, and maybe elsewhere. These car washes featured a robot-like machine travels around the car on a track. It makes four passes to completely wash, wax and rinse the car in two minutes. Most locations had two bays. The only locations left that I know of with the red and white plastic building trim or vintage signs are shown below. For more, see this website.

Robo Automatic Car Wash
East Patchogue, NY
This location no longer has the original plastic sign (see examples below). [map]

Robo-Wash
Del Rio, TX
This Robo-Wash appeared to be in operation in 2012 when these photos were taken. The robot device was still there. The sign panels were gone by 2023. [map]

Robo Automatic Car Wash
Laramie, WY
This Robo Automatic Car Wash was closed when these photos were taken in 2012. By 2016, the sign was missing the panel on one side. By 2022, the sign was gone. [map]

Robo Automatic Car Wash [gone]
Harriman, TN
This Robo Automatic Car Wash photo is from 2005. The building was demolished by 2008.

former Robo Automatic Car Wash
Mena, AR
The former Robo Automatic Car Wash is apparently now used for storage. [map]

Richmond Auto Sales [gone]
Rosenberg, TX
Richmond Auto Sales continued to use the Robo Wash canopy up until at least 2012. By 2017, the business had changed names to Sky Auto Sales and the canopy was gone. The robot's track was still visible in the cement.

Robo-Wash [gone]
Grapeland, TX

This Robo-Wash was last used in the 1970s. These photos were taken in 2011. In 2012, the car wash was demolished. The sign is gone as well.

Robo-Wash [gone]
Hot Springs, AR
This Robo-Wash was still in operation in 2010 when these photos were taken. By 2013, the building and sign were gone.

former Robo-Wash
Downey, CA
This Robo-Wash is now known as Hobo Car Wash. The original sign is gone but the robot tracks are still visible in the concrete inside the stalls. [map]

More Robo-Wash:
Jacksonville, AR
Jacksonville, IL [gone]
Excelsior Springs, MO [gone]
Sylva, NC
Spartanburg, SC
West Bend, WI
Vancouver, BC [vintage; gone?]
Williams Lake, BC [vintage; gone]
Adelaide, South Australia [gone]

Car Washes
(page 2)		 Car Washes
(page 3)		 Car Washes
(page 4)		 Car Washes
(page 5)		 Mid-Century Modern Buildings
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