I still have my Cities Service garage, made of metal. I don't remember when I got it so I was probably a toddler at the time, mid 50s. My dad worked for Cities Service and so I also have that tow truck pictured below from tterrace. Both toys are still in excellent condition. They'd probably fetch a nice price today and I could really use the money. But, HEY! I got them from dad so I'll never part with them. What great memories are launched from these great photos!

I live directly across the Ohio River from the old Marx Toy Factory located in Glen Dale, W.V. It's been closed down for many years, but there's a Marx Toy Museum there now. I wouldn't be surprised if they have your garages on display there.

Your Photo of the Marx Garage brought back memories of when I had one back in the early 1960's. I remember going with my father to store to pick it up then wanting to rush home to put in together.

I wish I still had mine oh I have fond memories as well as enjoyment playing with my Marx Service Station.

Your 1961 model is very cool (love the red dome light), but it looks like plastic. Seven years earlier, my 1954 Christmas tow truck was metal. BTW, were you guys a singing group?

The next year, I am the one with the big smile! Mark, I don't know if this tow truck is a Marx toy, but similar to the one you talked about.

I may be a woman but I want that garage. That is just too cool.

I wanted one, also. Usually got a Tonka truck for Christmas, and back then, they were really built well. I still have them and they're in good shape because I never played with them in the dirt. I think those Marx garages would sell well today if they were of the same quality and not made in China. Just think how many they could sell to us baby boomers!

I still have my garage! It was a Christmas gift back when I was a little kid, and I always loved playing with it. It is missing some of the pumps, but the garage itself is in good shape.

Had one in our kitchen for years. Nothing like a hot summer night with the windows open and the BUZZZZZZZZuZZZZuZZZZZZZflickflickBUUUZZZZZZ of the 'ol ring light.

I feel much older then I have a right to feel.

Apparently there's a leaf hidden underneath the table that pops in between the halves to expand if needed. Ingenious.

The lubritorium looks much more intircate than whan you got. One could wonder that that explains the difference in the size of the smiles.

I hadn't thought of Marx Toys for many decades, when I saw this it took me instantly back to a Christmas in the sixties. I dreamed of having a Big Bruiser tow truck. I thought it was made by Marx and sure enough it was. I must have been a good boy as it looks like it was probably expensive. It's amazing how your photo took me back to remembering getting this toy and even playing with it that Christmas morning in our paneled den in the old house I grew up in. Thanks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJHO8AP8Gx0

What hours of fun you must have had with those! I think that they would be fun to play with even at our advanced ages, provided that is, we could let our imaginations run like they did then.

There'd be a "Lotto Sold Here!" sign outside and six tiny pots of different coffees (including Morning Blend, Decaf and Mountain Robust) and miniature plastic Krispy Kreme Doughnuts(c) inside.

Louis Marx founder of Louis Marx Toys, at one time, the largest toy company in the world. He was not related to Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Zeppo and especially not to Karl. A staunch conservative, he was terribly disappointed when one of his daughters, Patricia, married Daniel Ellsberg, he of the Pentagon Papers and forerunner of this Assange fellow. Louis Marx considered his son-in-law a traitor.

Yes, I remember the down ramp at the side. I used the clockwork motor from my Meccano set to lift the elevator up and down as well. Ha, great toy!

If you're gonna be "car-crazy," best to start young. Neat setups.

I noticed the statue of Mary with the crown-- my grandmother had one in her house.

Mary, Queen of Peace?

I had always wanted one of those Marx garages, too, but never got one. Even at my age now, I think I still want one! What a beautiful photo!

Santa treated you two very, very well. Did either of you go into the service station business?

Where were we without Marx toys? I remember having that garage, Lubritorium and all. I also had the Cape Canaveral rocket launchpad where the rockets all had hard rubber nosecones that bounced off the ceiling after blast-off (obviously, a toy that would never make it to stores today). If you or your brother received one of those, please post the photo!

A Marx Service Center, complete with lubritorium, operating elevator, car laundry and grease rack.

Now there's a word you just don't hear much anymore.

By the size of the garages it looks like Santa thought your brother was better behaved that year.

But never got. The only thing in this photo that did come my way was when the old incandescent ceiling light fixtures in the kitchen got replaced with a couple of those fluorescent ring jobs. Poor substitute all the way around.

I'd completely forgotten about it. It was probably a year or two later, but I remember the ramp that would allow you to launch a car out into the room. Good times.