I remember it was confusing if you travelled across country, like we did on a long car trip in 1971. In Minnesota we had Standard gas stations, but my Dad's Standard credit card worked in some Standard stations (presumably those owned by Indiana Standard) but didn't in others, like some of the eastern states' Standard stations, which were in all appearances just like the ones back home. Standard had bought American Oil somewhere around WW1 I believe, and eventually Indiana Standard stations became Amoco stations, later to become BP c.2000.
Chevron is the only of the former Standard Oil companies that preserves the rights to the "Standard Oil" name-In its original SOCal marketing areas there is at least one gas station per state using the Standard name.
Dave,
Thanks for the link!
I worked for Mobil - and retired from ExxonMobil (yes, that is the correct corporate spelling) after a whole lot of years. No sweat over the mis-spelling of Mobil, for my own sister has never been able to pronounce it other than "mobeeel".
The "earl bizzness" is a huge and complex and absolutely fascinating industry, that has so very many sectors that lend themselves to modeling.
ENJOY,
Mobilman44
ENJOY !
Living in southeast Texas, formerly modeling the "postwar" Santa Fe and Illinois Central
Thanks fellows. I was aware of Standard Oil's convoluted corporate and trademark history (histories) but here in Wisconsin Standard Oil -- an oval red white and blue logo with a torch in the center, presumably under Standard Oil of Indiana control -- was common in the 1960s and beyond not only for gas stations, but until the 1970s for bulk oil and gasoline distribution centers in towns large and small. That is what I am modeling, a distribution center circa 1967, so the trucks would be flatbed trucks to deliver drums of oil, kerosene, whatever, and perhaps tank trucks with home heating oil. Less likely would be the large Ulrich style gas tankers but possible and at this point I am not ruling out anything. The 1940s truck seems to be about it for commercially available stuff -- for my 1967 era layout perhaps it would be parked and rusting in a back lot.
For those with an interest there is at least one website devoted to sorting out the Standard Oil story by era
http://www.us-highways.com/sohist.htm
I know Mobil is not Mobile - that was either a finger slip or the auto correct on my laptop. But I do sincerely appreciate all the replies and information.
Dave Nelson
As I recall Standard gas stations in the Midwest were called American gas stations in the East Later both were changed to Amoco while keeping the same torch and oval symbol until they were merged with BP.
Joe Staten Island West
Hi again,
Just a bit of extra info.............
"ESSO" - which is still used in various parts of the world, is derived from "S" and "O" - meaning Standard Oil.
SOCAL (Standard Oil of California history:
"
In 1977, the company made a major organizational change when it formed Chevron U.S.A. Inc., merging six domestic oil and gas operations into one. This change was driven by the need to establish a nationwide identity and a consolidated organization.
The company naturally chose "Chevron," a name that had first appeared on its products in the 1930s and had become its most recognizable mark of identification among consumers around the world."
http://www.chevron.com/about/history/1876/
http://www.chevron.com/about/history/1912/
http://www.chevron.com/about/history/1927/
http://www.chevron.com/about/history/1947/
Photos of Standard stations and Chevron stations:
http://www.gassigns.org/chevron.htm
I tried to sell my two cents worth, but no one would give me a plug nickel for it.
I don't have a leg to stand on.
The stations in Terre Haute my uncles ran used signage/logos like at the pic at this link:
http://localremnants.wordpress.com/2012/08/12/restored-standard-oil-station-in-rochelle/
Later became Amoco, of course, etc, etc.
IIRC there were delievery trucks that said just Standard Oil on them. I recall the overall truck being red.
Mike Lehman
Urbana, IL
The Standard Oil name was given to the various subsidiaries to use as they saw fit, with the caveat that certain companies had the rights in certain territories -- SOCONY in NY and New England, Chevron on the West Coast, etc. Eventually, most of them tried to invade each other's territory, leading to court cases, mergers, and all kinds of fun. In any case, I don't know if I've ever seen a Standard Oil truck, but not every branch of the old Standard Oil trust used that name within its territory -- for example, I don't remember if Marathon or Conoco ever used the Standard Oil name, much less owned any SO trucks. A good place to look is in a book called Standard Oil, The First 125 Years.
Just as a piece of Standard Oil history. When it was broken up into a number of companies, J. D Rockefeller got a lot of stock in each of the companies and went laughting all the way to the bank, since it made him wealthier than he was previously.
Ira
Used to be lots of Standard Oil stations in the Midwest. They're all BP now, IIRC. Two of my uncles were Standard Oil retailers, owning several gas stations over the years in Terre Haute, IN.
Standard Oil of Indiana marketed under the Standard name in all states where it had the rights to do so until going to the AMOCO name in the mid 60s? Standard Oil of Ohio also marketed under the Standard name where it could.
That link I posted for the E-bay sale , has been broken. Check this person's collection of Ulrich Trucks. This guy sure had a lot more of them, than I did...and I thought I had a LOT: Hope it links, for all to see:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/9977705@N05/sets/72157629951798426/
Take Care!
Frank
and more
greg - Philadelphia & Reading / Reading
Classic Metal Works makes a single axle 41-46 Chevy for plain ole Standard Oil lettering, take a look:
http://www.diecastalley.com/classic-metal-works-1-87-ho-scale-1941-1946-chevy-fuel-tank-truck-standard-oil/
BTW: You could also find an Ulrich Tandem axle Tank Trailer and paint it like the CMW Trucks, just add plain ole Standard Oil Logo. That was a 50's era tank trailer. I have four of those from years ago. When they were 2.95 a kit with tractor. E-bay has one, but I surely would not pay 40 dollars for it. But I posted for the pic, of what they looked like:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ULRICH-ALL-METAL-STEEL-UNDECORATED-TANK-WAGON-TANKER-TRAILER-HO-SCALE-/
I do not think that "Standard" was the same as "Standard Oil". A part of, yes, but not the whole by any stretch.
ROAR
The Route of the Broadway Lion The Largest Subway Layout in North Dakota.
Here there be cats. LIONS with CAMERAS
We had Standard, Esso, and Amoco gas stations in Minnesota/Wisconsin/Illinois through the 60's. IIRC, Classic Metal Works has had HO fuel delivery trucks with Standard Oil Company logo's available....
Jim
Modeling BNSF and Milwaukee Road in SW Wisconsin
Hi,
Well, my first comment is its great to see someone interested in modeling the "earl bizzness". But note one thing, Mobil Oil does not have an "E" on the end of it. From my "handle" you can guess why I care............
OK, there were a number of companies called "standard oil" in the mid 20th century. Socony was "standard oil of New York", Sohio was standard oil of Ohio, and of course there was standard oil of New Jersey, etc.
There are tank cars available with "standard oil" - i.e. Walthers, but for HO I don't recall seeing any trucks labeled as such. Of course as you mentioned, there are a lot named with the "alternate" handles of the companies.
Dave et al,
It was broken up and the big companies need to be broken up again, too much power ($$$), so it won't happen. Consoldation has its place, over consolidation is monoply.
Can't recall any vehicles lettered for Standard Oil itself.
Good luck,
Richard
Standard Oil gas stations existed in Illinois until the 1960s. My brother-in-law owned one in Cahokia, Illinois in the latter 1950's.
The Supremes broke up Rockefeller's Standard Oil back in the very early 1900-'s. I don't remember seeing a Standard Oil sign or truck or gas pump ever. Lot of Esso (later Exxon) which was Standard Oil of New Jersey, Sunoco, Gulf, Mobil, American, Jenny, Sohio, and others. but no plain old pre breakup Standard Oil.
David Starr www.newsnorthwoods.blogspot.com
My layout will include an oil and gas distribution center/dealer for Standard Oil. The prototype facility itself was rather spartan brick, with numerous trackside tanks painted white or silver. Standard Oil had a lot of these around the country.
Does anybody know if there have been trucks lettered for Standard Oil available? I see trucks lettered for Mobile, Texaco, Pure, and other such companies currently in the catalog, but thus far I am coming up empty for Standard Oil. I thought perhaps something available years ago might be findable but I'd like to know that I am not looking for a needle in a haystack.
I am thinking of a tank truck presumably for delivery to gas stations, as well as a stake flatbed for delivery of 55 gallon drums.