Old gas stations

[Stearmen]

I like his hat. Is there a way to describe his hat? What style? Are these on sale anywhere?

They are called, peaked cap, or visor cap. Not sure if any one makes a reproduction?

 

[LizzieMaine]

The old Texaco supply catalog I have calls that kind of hat an "eight point uniform cap." They were made like a police hat in that the top fabric cover was removable, with an elastic band that stretched around the cap frame. The hat cost $3.50, and came with two covers. You could also specify a "summer-fall frame," which had a ventilated mesh panel at the front, or a "winter frame" which was solid.

They were still being offered in these catalogs into the 1970s, but had been supplanted in popularity by baseball-style "utility caps" in the 1960s. My grandfather wore an eight-point thru the 1950s, but had switched to the baseball style -- which had built in earflaps for winter wear -- by the time my memories begin.

Probably the best bet for finding one today would be a police supply catalog. The stock "police blue" color would be correct for Gulf, Esso, and Sunoco, but I don't imagine it would be too hard to sew up a cover in the colors of any company you wanted. It was not uncommon for the chin strap buttons to feature the company logo, so those might be hard to replicate unless you could find them on Ebay.

 

[2jakes]

They are called, peaked cap, or visor cap. Not sure if any one makes a reproduction?

"Vintage " ones are available @ eBay!

 

[Ghostsoldier]

Those look like WW2 German styles, lol.

I believe that the NYC police use 8 -point hats, don't they?

Rob

 

[2jakes]

It takes a lot of finesse to wear a light-colored uniform around a gas station.

 

[LizzieMaine]

"He hates these cans!"

 

[Fading Fast]

It takes a lot of finesse to wear a light-colored uniform around a gas station.

This is why, growing up in NJ, Hess' all white uniforms and, in general, sparkling clean stations were so impressive.

To be fair, though, Hess did not do repairs, just gas. But still, as someone who has pumped gas, it is still hard to stay clean doing that job - just leaning on the cars will get you quite dirty. Plus stuff just comes up that makes you dirty - you kneel on the ground (checking tires), get under the hood (checking oil), etc., I would have looked like Pig Pen if I had worn a white outfit when I did that job.

 

[LizzieMaine]

Those look like WW2 German styles, lol.

Well, Esso *did* do a lot of business with the Nazis. And Mussolini was hung from the canopy of an Esso station in Milan after the partisans got done with him.

 

[LizzieMaine]

This is why, growing up in NJ, Hess' all white uniforms and, in general, sparkling clean stations were so impressive.

To be fair, though, Hess did not do repairs, just gas. But still, as someone who has pumped gas, it is still hard to stay clean doing that job - just leaning on the cars will get you quite dirty. Plus stuff just comes up that makes you dirty - you kneel on the ground (checking tires), get under the hood (checking oil), etc., I would have looked like Pig Pen if I had worn a white outfit when I did that job.

That being so, imagine what bravado it took to wear white shop coats and overalls:

Not very Humble at all.

 

[2jakes]

 

[Fading Fast]

That being so, imagine what bravado it took to wear white shop coats and overalls:

Not very Humble at all.

And OxiClean hadn't even been invented yet.

 

[Ghostsoldier]

Mobil White Star Line Gasoline Station Late-1930s, Detroit, MI

Rob

 

[BobHufford]

 

[Stearmen]

Reminds me of when I would fill up my mini bike! The attendant would always say, with a smile, "check your oil and wash your windows sir?"

 

[Ghostsoldier]

This isn't dangerous, at all...

Rob

 

[Ghostsoldier]

A few in North Carolina...

Rob

 

[LizzieMaine]

That triangular roof was an Esso trademark for the better part of twenty years. We still have an example of the non-canopied version here in town, now operating as a used car dealer, and other than a paint job it's little changed from its original configuration.

 

[Ghostsoldier]

Pie Town, NM.

Rob

 

[Ghostsoldier]

Wilshire and La Brea, Los Angeles, 1920s

Rob

 

[Ghostsoldier]

Rob