The sign came from New Jersey from a longtime Texaco employee. I purchased several unique items like an Auto Diesel sign, a Super Chief pump plate, and a few oddball pieces that I've never seen before.
A few years ago, I bought another Auto Diesel sign (with the hex logo) from from another former Texaco employee. He told me that Texaco had most of their foreign signage made in America and shipped them abroad. Hence the Made in U.S.A markings with the date codes.
In regards to Auto Diesel plates, Puretex (Keith from OKC) emailed me and stated this:
"Texaco decided not to use them in the US, so they were cancelled right after manufacture. Not many survived."
The Prenez sign is heavy tin with thick enamel type paint, but not porcelain. Same with the Auto Diesel signs, the Super Chief sign, and the Crystallite 70s pump plates.
All I know is that both times I've been able to purchase Auto Diesel signs, they came directly from older ex-employees of Texaco. This latest batch also had a NOS 15" lubester plate dated 1937 and a Spanish tin Texaco sign dated 1940 (also marked made in the U.S.A) among others...
I'll try to upload a pic othe back tomorrow night. And no, its not rusty and the grommets are all there... I didn't buy it from Buenos Aires either!!
