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Stop 5

Stop 5 Enco and Speed porcelain signs
5A- Enco Porcelain Sign
5B- Speed Porcelain Sign

5A – Enco Porcelain Sign

5A Enco Sign
Enco was introduced in 1960 by Humble Oil and Refining Company, a subsidiary of Standard Oil of New Jersey (which later became Exxon in 1972). The name “Enco” is derived from “ENergy COmpany,” reflecting Humble’s focus on energy innovation and modern branding. It was primarily a regional brand used in the western and midwestern U.S..

Fun Fact:

In the 1960s, Enco gained fame for its “Put a Tiger in Your Tank” campaign, introducing a tiger mascot that became a cultural icon.

The Enco logo, with its red lettering inside a blue and white oval, was designed to convey simplicity, modernity, and trust, aligning with the era’s shift toward sleek, minimalist advertising.

This imposing 59″ x 82″ Enco sign, marked #SDS157, captures the bold red and blue oval logo of a brand synonymous with mid-20th-century petroleum history. Likely from the 1960s, it was mounted on gas station poles or walls to draw in drivers, its durable metal construction once a beacon along American roads.

Fun Fact:

In the mid-1960s, Enco made headlines for a marketing mishap in Japan, where the name “Enco” sounded similar to a Japanese term for “stalled car,” causing confusion and prompting Humble to use the Esso brand there instead.

In the 1960s, Enco promoted fuels and oils designed for the increasingly powerful cars of the era, including high-octane gasoline to prevent engine knock—a growing concern as automotive technology advanced. Enco also marketed premium motor oils and additives, positioning itself as a forward-thinking brand for performance-driven consumers.

5B -Speed Porcelain Sign

5B Speed Shield shaped sign

This striking 72″ shield-shaped Speed sign stands out with its bold red, white, and black design, a hallmark of mid-20th-century petroleum branding. Likely from the 1950s, it was mounted on gas station poles or walls to catch the eye of passing motorists.

The angle and dynamic “SPEED” lettering evoking the era’s obsession with fast cars and performance fuels. Speed Gasoline, a regional brand often associated with Phillips 66, used this logo to signify high-octane power, reflecting the brand’s focus on delivering top-tier fuel for the postwar automotive boom. The logo’s shield design symbolized strength and reliability, a nod to the brand’s promise of dependable performance.

Fun Fact:
In the 1950s, Speed Gasoline sponsored local drag racing events, capitalizing on the growing popularity of hot rods and speed culture, which helped cement its reputation among enthusiasts.

The 1950s marked the “golden age of the automobile” in the U.S., with car ownership jumping from about 50% of Americans in 1950 to nearly 75% by 1960. Despite increases in auto ownership, during the late 1960s, regional brands like Speed disappeared due to increasing competition from national giants.

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