Self service came back to the Carolinas in 1967-1968, after several experiments with the practice in the late 1940s. It started with independents, in fact Spartanburg based Jordan Oil operated some of the earliest branded (Spur) self serve stations in the southeast. Various other independents were experimenting with self service at the same time. The majors were much slower to do so, with the sort of "split island" (industry term) operation as would have used these signs, with some islands self serve and others full serve, at a higher price. Even still a few around. By the middle 1970s, after the first shortage, the split island operation became commonplace, lasting until full serve was all but phased out. In New England, the split island type of station can still be commonly found. In any event, many of these signs were generic, and could be ordered in color combinations that were similar to official oil company signs. Some were very brand specific. Without pics, impossible to tell, but would not date before about 1970.
Wayne Henderson
Petroleum Collectibles Monthly
Kernersville, NC