By squinting at a Brownie camera snap shot that I took around 1968 in South Milwaukee WI, I recently came to realize that on a key signature scene -- the Rawson Avenue crossing -- the gas station on my HO layout is NOT going to be a Shell Oil station, as I have been assuming and preparing for, but a Pure Oil station. I have to assume that at some point the station converted to Shell, after the period I model. However, an oil company history says that Pure Oil was purchased by Union 76 in 1965 and that by 1970 the Pure logo was phased out. So maybe I was doubly wrong in thinking of Shell Oil anyway, or maybe a new owner totally changed affiliations.
So does anybody know of a selection of Pure oil logo signs for the modeler?
I think I know how to handle the large blue letters PURE on the station itself (one of those "modern" white enameled structures with two bays for working on cars and a small sales area -- that was back in the full service era).
Ideally I'd like to use the logos to make one of those lighted plastic signs that became popular in the 1960s. Thus far I have found Pure logo signs on the cardstock packaging of an OLD version of the Walthers Interstate Fuel & Oil kit (the newer packaging does not have the "Free" signs on the packaging that the old packaging did. I suppose some linseed oil could make the logo translucent so that it could be lit from within but that is not optimal. Thin paper or better yet thin plastic would be ideal.
I may end up printing one of the versions found on Google images but once you print it out the clarity often leaves something to be desired, and it is a challenge to control the size.
I want to be sure with Pure.
Dave Nelson--
Maybe you can do something with these:
Pure oil 1
Pure oil 2
Pure oil 3
Pure oil 4
Dr. Frankendiesel aka Scott Running BearSpace Mouse for president!15 year veteran fire fighterCollector of Apple //e'sRunning Bear EnterprisesHistory Channel Club life member.beatus homo qui invenit sapientiam
Google Images will pick up quite a few. They will certainly give you good enough quality for modelling, since you'll be shrinking them down to get them to scale size.
You could print these on thin paper, or maybe make a decal and apply it to very thin styrene sheet to make a translucent sign. I haven't tried it, but if you printed the decal on transparency stock (thin clear plastic) and then sprayed the back side white, I think it would give about the right effect.
It takes an iron man to play with a toy iron horse.
Both Walthers, in their Interstate Oil Company, and Scale Structures, with their gas station, offered the Pure Oil signs.
I sent you a PM, I have both. The Walthers has a black sign outline with blue letters and the Scale Structures is all blue, outline and letters. I can send both.
Rick
Not to hijack the thread, but most gas brands of the 50's have changed or disappeared. Esso, Tydol, Sinclair, Flying A, and the Mobilgas Pegasus logo are some I remember from the norrtheast. I remember a trip to Mich & was suprised to se Sohio instead of Esso!! I'm sure there are many more!!
Dave
Check your PM's. I sent you something.
Dan
There is an old Pure oil station on U.S.301 here in mid Fla. Sitting on a shelf I own a G , Lionel and an N tank car. Wifes Grampa worked for them for 22 years
Flip
Thank you, all, for the ideas and assistance and offers of signs. I'll keep you informed as to how it all turns out.
Dave Nelson