Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Archives of the best of past topics Best of Shop Talk COTM -- Mid-Continent Petroleum Corp. / D-X -- June 2007

1935-40

photo: Maurice Campbell

1940-46

photo: Maurice Campbell

1946-57

photo: Maurice Campbell

Regarding the D-X Lubricating Gasoline above... I'm fairly certain I've seen a variation that said "Motor Fuel" instead of "Gasoline." I cannot find any pictures at this time.

1946-55

photo: Maurice Campbell

1946-55

photo: Maurice Campbell

1946-57

photo: Maurice Campbell

1955-57

photo: Maurice Campbell

1955-57

photo: John O'Hern

The above attention-grabbing "rocket" globe attachment advertised the debut of D-X Boron in 1955.

1957-68


1957-68

photo: Maurice Campbell

1957-68

photo: Scott Benjamin & Wayne Henderson

1957-68

photo: Scott Benjamin & Wayne Henderson

Just a note--the Plymouth Belvedere they are unearthing in Tulsa today has D-X products in the trunk. Looking at the slide show on Tulsa World, it looks like a gallon bottle of Boron additive and 2-3 gallon oil cans.
The burial was in June of 1957, so at that date, the black, red, and ivory older trademark was still current.

Regarding the Belvidere. The vault has 2.5 feet of water in it as of Wednesday 6/13 and the water mark on the walls shows evidence that the car had been completely submerged in water. I fear for the condition of the intererior and the DX cans.....or for that matter anything else in the car.

Great job Wes, thanks for doing COTM-DX!

Some stuff from the Simpler Times museum...(pump colors/image not "by the book")



[This message has been edited by tokheim (edited 06-14-2007).]

Here is another globe for you. Richard

sorry about the double post. Richard

[This message has been edited by gatorgaspumps (edited 06-15-2007).]

Hey everyone,

It's time for some signage! I'm posting several Mid-Continent and D-X signs. If you've got any others, please feel free to post them or send them to me by email.

IDENTIFICATION SIGNS:

The sign that Norm (cmeon66) posted (Diamond Gasolines - Motor Oil) was one of the older-style (1925-33. You can see an example of it in the service station pic on Page 1.


This version was used from 1933-46.



In 1946, this sign came into use, replacing the name "Diamond" for service station identification.


Several variants of this sign existed. It was made in various sizes, with single and double-sided versions. The above sign shows an earlier font style, while this later example (below) shows a pudgier font. It is dated 1955.

Hey Richard, thanks for posting that globe!!

Tokheim, that is a pretty neat display. Even if not "accurate," there are some nice pieces there.

Wes

[This message has been edited by thermactor (edited 06-17-2007).]

In 1957, the familiar "new" red, white, and blue logo was phased in.


There were several different sizes and styles, as with the previous logo versions. Internally illuminated signs came into use by the early 60s.

Here's an illuminated version:


In some cases, the 1957-up version of the sign (porcelain or internally lit) could be seen on a spiffy curved pole like this one:



There's lots more to come, including some more interesting ID signs, curb signs, flanges, and more! Stay tuned...

Wes

Let's take a look at some other Mid-Continent signs...

Here are a couple of curb signs. I've seen one other style, but can't find a picture. (It's "home plate" shaped.)

This Diamond Motor Oil curb sign dates to the mid 30s.


Here's a Diamond 760 curb sign from the late 30s.

photo: Scott Shipers

Does anyone have a picture to share of the 30" NevrNox Ethyl curb sign from the 1933-36 period?

This is a Sunray D-X curb sign (28") from 1955-57.

photo: John O'Hern

And here is its newer-logo counterpart from 1957-62.



[This message has been edited by thermactor (edited 06-20-2007).]

Next, let's take a look at some very cool flange signs!

This is the earliest example I've found - the Diamond Gas - Oils flange from the 1910s.

photo: John O'Hern

Here is a Diamond 760 Motor Oil flange from the mid 1930s.


This Diamond Kerosene flange is from the same era.

photo: Maurice Campbell

Here's another version from the same period, but from a different manufacturer.

photo: Dan Matthews

Check out this super-cool D-X hanging neon sign from the 1946-57 era.


Another unusual one... Here's a 3-D stamped porcelain D-X sign. Look closely at the sign on the pylon of this building:


Here's a good picture of the diamond-shaped portion. The 3-D stamped letters mount to the center of it on some steel strap-like brackets.

photo: Scott Shipers

If anyone has a better photo of a complete one, please feel free to post it!




[This message has been edited by thermactor (edited 06-20-2007).]

Here's an interestingly shaped Nevr Nox sign from 1933 to 36. It's the only one like it I've seen, but I have seen two other signs of the same shape and 'format.' They both advertised Diamond 760 Motor Oil - one had 'hollow' 760 numbers, and the other had 'solid' numbers.

photo: Paddy McCauley