If you went to the local petroleum equipment company to purchase a pump the pumps that were in crates in the warehouse were painted red. Red was the standard color for gasoline, green was the color for oil. I believe the local company would repaint the pump for you.

If you purchased a pump directly from the pump company you could order it in the standard color "red." But you could have the pump painted any color you wanted for an additional cost, usually less than $2.00 per pump. Every company offered this option.

The first piece of literature created for a new pump was usually called a "Bulletin." I have every Bulletin printed by Tokheim and every pump shown in these Bulletins are in red, except for the special Bulletins that were prepared for companies such as Gulf and Tidewater.

Jack Sim

Author, 1st & 2nd editions of Gas Pump ID book, 3rd edition is now available at www.gaspumpbible.com
Air Meter ID book also available