Description
Vintage March 2005 “Check the Oil!” Petroliana Magazine w/ Texaco Ladies Porcelain Sign Gas Oil Collectible. Sign Measures: 5 7/8″ x 3 1/2″. Hey folks, if you’re into chasing down that classic gas station vibe or building a killer collection of vintage oil company memorabilia, this one’s for you. Up for grabs is the **March 2005 issue of “Check the Oil!” magazine** – the go-to read for every petroliana nut out there. This quarterly gem is packed with stories from real collectors, rare photos of restored pumps, and ads that scream golden age of motoring. Published by folks who live and breathe this stuff, it’s got that authentic feel you won’t find in modern reprints. And here’s the kicker: I’m throwing in a sweet original Texaco Ladies porcelain sign as a bonus! Measures a handy 5 7/8″ tall by 3 1/2″ wide, with crisp red and white enamel, the iconic green star popping against that classic curved shape. It’s a mini time capsule from the drive-in days – perfect for your shelf, man cave, or next swap meet display. Light patina from age, but no chips or rust; hangs flush and shines like it just rolled off the assembly line. The magazine itself is in solid shape – 24 pages of full-color goodness on glossy stock, no dog-ears or coffee stains. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s inside, so you can see why it’s a must-have for fans of **antique gas pumps**, **vintage porcelain signs**, and **original oil company advertising**: **From the Mailbox: Collector Tales & Pump Porn** Kicks off with heartfelt letters from longtime enthusiasts sharing their hunts for **Mobil Pegasus** globes and **Texaco fire chief** pumps. James Burford’s got a stunning 23-inch **stained glass Texaco sign** from a Colorado collector, plus Joe Russell’s Wayne, NJ display at the Metro Vintage Advertising Show. Loaded with pics of restored **gas station pumps** and **porcelain enamel signs** – think **Phillips 66** and **Tydol** gems that’ll make your pulse race. **Mailbox Continued: Rare Finds & Reader Raves** More reader mail with Hugh Cornell’s wild story of a **Martin & Schwartz** hybrid pump from Pennsylvania – original 70s parts pieced into a one-of-a-kind beast. Dale Aldwin’s color **Tokheim 850** that’s stood pat for 40 years in Adamsville. Ends with Ken Wilson’s roadside score of an **Esso sign** just a mile from a Mass Gas show. Killer shots of **vintage gas stations** and **oil can displays** that scream petro history. **Check the Oil Gallery: Early 20th-Century Service Stations** Dive into black-and-white beauties like the 1928 corner **Goodrich Tires** and **Zappe’s Garage** in Geneseo, NY (courtesy Ray Zapl), plus an unknown-location **Texaco** station with pumps galore. Chuck Haase’s photo of a **Mufflers & Filters** signboard hawking **fan belts**, **tire repairs**, and **lubrication** services. Pure **antique automobile signage** eye candy for fans of **vintage gas station architecture**. **Gallery Wrap-Up: More Timeless Pump Scenes** Wraps the gallery with detailed captions on those Geneseo and Texaco spots – think uniformed attendants, classic cars at the pumps, and era-specific **oil company logos**. If you collect **porcelain gas pump signs** or dream of restoring a 1920s **filling station**, this spread’s your blueprint. **Gilmore Graphic: Racing Roots & Oil Heritage** Flashback to the 1930s with **Gilmore Graphic** newsletters – front-page heroics from driver Kelly Petillo’s 500-mile roar at Indy in a Gilmore car. Headlines on **Red Lion Circus** promotions and **record-breaking races** tied to oil sponsorships. Glossy repros of the original heavy-stock pages, perfect for **vintage racing memorabilia** and **Gilmore Oil** superfans. **Gilmore Deep Dive: Lion’s Share of Speed History** Continues the Gilmore saga with ads for **parade entries**, **speed trials**, and that epic **Indianapolis 500** win. Photos of crowds cheering the **Gilmore Lion** – the oil brand’s roaring mascot. Ties right into **automotive advertising history** and how oil giants fueled the early drag strip era. **Absolute Auction Alert: Vintage Cycle & Auto Blowout** Big news on the April 30-May 1 **Aumann Auctions** at Indiana State Fairgrounds – over 800 lots of **motorcycle signs**, **automobile petroliana**, and **50+ cars**! Expect **Kelley-Springfield Tires**, **Richfield Oil**, **Conoco**, **Mobil**, and **Texaco** porcelain beauties. Plus **Greyhound Bus Depot** and **Harley-Davidson** rarities – a petroliana collector’s fever dream. **Letters from Europe: Petrolana Across the Pond** Tan Byrne’s dispatch from the UK scene, covering the Beaulieu Autojumble haul of **NFO** and **EP** globes (that’s Northern Farmers Oil and Elf Petrol, for you transatlantic hunters). Stories on **Avia**, **Texaco**, and **Shell** in the UK market, plus **1950s Esso maps** from the Lake District. Great for **international oil company collectibles** and Euro **gas station signage** chasers. **Petro-Glyph: John’s Gearhead Legacy** Carl Ma’s profile on John Bensohn’s epic **gas pump collection** – from his stepdad’s dragster fleet to a garage packed with **Clark**, **Tydol**, **Texaco**, **Mobilgas**, and **Gilmore** pumps. He’s got **vintage oil globes** and a growing salt & pepper shaker lineup too. Heartwarming tale of family, welding, and preserving **porcelain gas station artifacts** – includes his “Intamous Rex” cake smash photo! **Ways to Get More Business: Service Station Savvy** 1945 throwback to **Cities Service** broadcasts on “Highways in Melody” – sales tips from the pump, starring Paul Lavalle’s orchestra. Vintage ads for **motor oil ethyl** and **Cities Service Dealers**. Timeless advice on reeling in customers at your **vintage gas station** replica or **oil memorabilia** shop. **Road Maps of Yesteryear: Navigation Nostalgia** Portfolio of 1930s-40s **Red G’s Road Maps** for Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania – **Gulf**, **Texaco**, and **Standard Oil** branded beauties. Plus a **Texaco Ladies** keychain tag (ties right into your bonus sign!). Essential for **vintage oil company maps** and **automobile travel ephemera** collectors. **Petro-Glyph Continued: Welding Wonders & Pump Hunts** Wraps John’s story with more on his **robot plasma welding** for restorations – think **Phillips 66** and **Sunoco** rebuilds. Photos of his shop full of **vintage gas pumps** and **enamel signs**. Plus a nod to the **1940s war economy** impact on oil distribution. Raw inspiration for DIY **petroliana restorers**. **Auction Aftermath & Map Quests** Follow-up on that Aumann sale with **NFO** and **Elephant Kerosene** lots, plus Tan Byrne’s Euro map chase for **1950s Esso** and **Shell** charts. Details on **Cleveland house dealers** and **NOS Esso surveys** – prime intel for scoring **rare oil company globes** at your next meet. **Closing Petro-Glyph: Collector’s Code** Final thoughts on John’s transition to **turbine tech** while keeping the flame alive for **vintage Mobil** and **Conoco** pieces. Ends with a bang on why these stories matter to **original porcelain sign** hunters everywhere. This issue’s a treasure trove for anyone hooked on **antique gas & oil advertising**, from **porcelain pump tops** to **vintage service station photos**. Ships fast in a protective mailer – USPS Media Mail or Priority your call. Questions? Hit me up, I’m a collector too and happy to chat Texaco trivia. Don’t sleep on this – your shelf needs it! Grab it now before some swap-meet shark does. Thanks for looking – let’s keep the oil flowing!