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Stop 7

Stop 7 Group at Filling Station Museum Quincy FL
7A- Texaco Fire Chief Sign
7B- Shell Motor Spirit Sign
7C- Standard polarine oil Sign
7D- No Smoking & Photo Group

7A – Texaco fire chief Sign

7A Texaco Fire Chief Sign at Filling Station Museum Quincy FL

This Texaco Fire-Chief Gasoline sign, crafted in the 1950s, promoted Texaco’s premium fuel line with its vibrant depiction of a fireman’s helmet, a symbol of the brand’s high-octane performance.

Fire-Chief was marketed heavily through the 1930s to 1950s, often with slogans like “Fire-Chief Gasoline—Power for the Pros,” appealing to both everyday drivers and those seeking performance, such as racers and truck drivers.
Fun Fact:
Fire-Chief Fules Racing: Texaco’s Fire-Chief fuel powered the winning car in the 1950 Indianapolis 500, driven by Johnnie Parsons.
Texaco introduced Fire-Chief gasoline in 1932 as a response to the growing demand for high-octane fuels. Fire-Chief was positioned as a premium fuel, slightly below Texaco’s top-tier Sky-Chief but above its regular gasoline. It was marketed as a high-octane option designed to deliver better engine performance, particularly for vehicles requiring more power, such as those used by emergency services or performance drivers.
Fun Fact:

Emergency Grade Branding: Fire-Chief became a symbol of reliability during emergencies. During World War II, Texaco promoted Fire-Chief as the fuel of choice for ambulances and fire trucks.

Fire-Chief remained a key part of Texaco’s lineup through the 1960s, but as environmental regulations tightened in the 1970s with the introduction of unleaded gasoline, the branding evolved. Texaco reformulated Fire-Chief to comply with new standards, but the name gradually faded as the company shifted focus to broader branding like “Texaco with System3” in the 1980s, which emphasized cleaner fuels.

7B – Shell Motor Spirit Sign

7B Shell Motor Spirit Sign at Filling Station Museum

This 15″ x 24″ Shell Motor Spirit sign, likely from the 1920s to 1930s, once advertised Shell’s premium fuel at early gas stations, its vibrant yellow background and red lettering designed to catch the eye of drivers. “Motor Spirit,” was term commonly used in the early 20th century for gasoline in the British Commonwealth, reflecting Shell’s British origins.

Fun Fact:

Historic Color Scheme: The yellow and red color scheme was inspired by the Spanish flag, chosen in 1915 to honor Shell’s early operations in California, then a heavily Hispanic region.

Shell in the 1920s and 1930s was focused on growth, particularly after merging with Royal Dutch Petroleum in 1907 to form Royal Dutch Shell. By the 1920s, Shell had entered the U.S. market, acquiring the Roxana Petroleum Company in 1921 and expanding operations in California, where it became a major supplier of aviation fuel.
Fun Fact:

Flying High: Shell’s “Motor Spirit” branding in the 1920s often targeted early aviators, fueling record-breaking flights like Amy Johnson’s 1930 solo journey from England to Australia.

7c- Standard Polarine Oil Sign

7C Standard Polarine Sign at Filling Station Museum Quincy Florida

This 30″ round Standard Oil sign, dates back to the 1900s,

with “Polarine” in elegant script reflecting Standard Oil’s branding before its 1911 breakup.

Polarine was introduced by Standard Oil of New Jersey in 1904 as a high-quality motor oil for early automobiles. The name “Polarine” is derived from “polar,” evoking the idea of icy smoothness and cold-weather performance, combined with the suffix “-ine” to suggest a refined petroleum product. At the time, early engines often struggled with oil viscosity in cold temperatures, leading to poor lubrication and engine wear.
Fun Fact:

Chilly Mascot: Polarine was marketed with a polar bear mascot in the 1910s, symbolizing cold-weather performance.

Standard Oil in the 1910s and 1920s was a behemoth, controlling up to 90% of U.S. oil production before its breakup, after which its successors like Standard Oil of New Jersey expanded globally while innovating with products like Polarine. After the 1911 breakup, the Polarine brand was retained by several Standard Oil successors, notably Standard Oil of New Jersey (later Exxon) and Standard Oil of Indiana (later Amoco), each using it in their regions.

Fun Fact:
First Oil for Tractors: Polarine became one of the first motor oils specifically marketed for agricultural use in the late 1910s, with Standard Oil distributing it to farmers adopting early tractors like the Fordson.

7D – No Smoking Sign & Photo Group

7D No Smoking and Photo Group at Filling Station Museum Quincy FL

No Smoking Sign: This 18″ x 5.5″ cobalt blue and white porcelain-on-metal No Smoking sign, likely from the 1930s to 1950s, served a critical safety role at gas stations, where it was mounted near fuel pumps or on station walls to warn against the dangers of open flames. Its bold, high-contrast design ensured visibility, reflecting the era’s growing emphasis on safety.

(Not So)Fun Fact:
Fire Hazard Fines: By the late 1930s, some states began enforcing strict fines for smoking near gas pumps—up to $50 (equivalent to over $1,000 today)—prompting oil companies to mass-produce signs like this one. They were often distributed free to station owners to avoid liability and comply with new fire codes set by the National Fire Protection Association.

Photo Group:  This Photo group displays Quincy’s rich history in petrolium. More information on these photos coming soon.

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