Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums General Petroliana Discussion Whats Important?

What is the most important part when choosing the brand to restore a pump to, Use the brand that used the make/model the most, or the company that is already on the pump? Does brand to make/model affect value of a restored pump? for example, almost all Tok. 39's I see in old photos are Texaco, so when I restored my 39 to Mobil will it be worth less because Mobil didn't use 39's as much as Texaco?
-Mike

Mike, I bought out a bulk plant in Ohio several years ago. It was a Mobil dealer and I got 20 Tokheim 39 pumps from there. Some tall and some short. As for which brand is most valuable? I have restored many pumps and find that brand and pump style don't matter as far as future value. What keeps the value high is the small details, such as rechroming bright metals instead of painting. Using good base/clear instead on single stage paints. Detailing the inside of the pump along with the outside. Polishing the alum/ brass nozzle instead of sandblasting to clean....I think you get my drift? Those are the things that keep the value high in the buyers eyes....

Thanks for the advise. The reason I ask is I am having a huge arguement with myself over my M&S 80. It is currently Standard Diesel. I hate the color sceme, and it is Globeless. I was thinking about Sunoco or Shell. I just wasen't sure if it is right to change a pump's brand for historic Accuracy.

Mike, what's important is the brand YOU like, the colors and logos that appeal to YOU--who gives a flip about historical accuracy on a Tok 39? I mean, really? There are literally thousands of them so it's irrelevant.

UNLESS......you're doing this for speculative resale. In that case, I would consider the prevailing brands in the area you hope to sell it, and choose one of those.

Do what you want--make yourself happy---but by all means, SHOW US PICTURES!!! :-)

Mike in TN