Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Showcase and Stories, Petroliana PUMP OF THE MONTH - February

As announced a couple of days ago the POTM for February is the Bennett 541. There are several versions of the 541 that should be included: the 371 computer pumps (let's hold off on the clockface versions of this), the 543, the 546, and the 560's. I am not going to post any pictures yet because many members have told me that they have many pictures that they were anxious for us to see. I figure as there are dips in posts I will occasionally put my pictures on here. THE AMERICAN GARAGE was right, there is a version with no ad-glass, the Bennett 541-P. Hopefully someone can share a look at one of these. The 541 has been in my "Top 5" list ever since I became an addict. I believe if there were no Wayne 60's or National A38's the 541 would be the "57 Chevy" of tall computer pumps. Thank God that there are however Wayne 60's and National A38's, my two favorites in this class! I have approx 60 pumps, 4 of them are 541's and 1 of the 371's. I am in the procuring mode and have been for the past 1 1/2 years, I have only had time to restore one pump, a Bennett 756. I can honestly say that Bennett made a quality pump, thick sheet metal, great lines and curves, good mating of parts and bolt holes and probably the most fantastic sheet metal stampings in existence.
Well, being I am a rookie with limited knowledge I think I will end this post on that note. I will however be adding 541 comments, info and pictures off and on till it's time for the March POTM.
Thanks for your participation!
gas pump freak




[This message has been edited by Lastgas15 (edited 02-21-2004).]

Here is a picture of our 541 Bennett, I agree this is in my top 5 also right after the Tokheim 850 and any cool double pump. This 541 was bought local and is one of the cleanest unrestored pumps We have had.
Don & Lynn


[This message has been edited by gaspumpman (edited 02-21-2004).]

NOT OWNING ONE (YET)...ONE CAN STILL APPRECIATE THIS LIGHTHOUSE STYLE BENNETT STILL AT ROADSIDE HERE ON LONG ISLAND IN DEER PARK.
BEEN OUTSIDE ALL IT'S LIFE (60+ YEARS) AND STILL STANDING TALL OUTSIDE VERN'S REPAIR SHOP OF TWO GENERATIONS:

GOTTA LOVE IT FOR IT'S VISUAL VALUE EVEN THOUGH VERN WON'T LET IT GO.

DOC @ THE AMERICAN BENNETTLESS GARAGE WEST/EAST

I don't own any of these pumps but they are ones I've shot pictures of while on road trips.

Here a couple more pictures. The one on the left is mine.



[This message has been edited by Tim Rohr (edited 02-21-2004).]

Great pumps guys!
I'm not a pump guy, but I think I "need" one (or five,haha) of those 541's.
Bob

HERE ARE A COUPLE FROM JEFF (ELVIS)....SAYS HE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM MANY OF US HAVE....NOT ENOUGH ROOM TO STEP BACK AND SHOOT!!! THANKS FOR SHARING!

Jim sent this picture of his restored 541. Nice work Jim!


[This message has been edited by Lastgas15 (edited 02-21-2004).]

SEEMS BOB BEAT ME TO THE POST FOR JIM....HOWEVER HERE'S A BLURB ABOUT IT: (IN REF TO THE ABOVE PUMP)....
HERE IS A PICTURE OF MY BENNETT 541F, MY FIRST RESTORATION COMPLETED LAST SUMMER. THE PUMP WAS FOUND IN THE SACRAMENTO DELTA WATERWAY AREA BEHIND CARLEY'S PLACE. THE ONLY (AND OLD) MARKET/BAR ON THE WEST SIDE OF THE SACRAMENTO RIVER NEAR WALNUT GROVE IN THE GENERAL AREA OF HOGBACK AND STEAMBOAT SLOUGH.
WHATEVER THE CASE MAY BE...IT'S A BEAUTY DONE UP IN THAT TEXACO RED AND SIGNAGE WITH THE SIDEKICK LUBESTERS. GREAT SHOT JIM THANKS FOR SHARING IN THE POTM SHOWCASE.


[This message has been edited by THE AMERICAN GARAGE (edited 02-21-2004).]

[This message has been edited by THE AMERICAN GARAGE (edited 02-21-2004).]

Jim, I've never seen a restored pump that looked any better than that. Nice work

Here's an unrestored 541 sent in from Midwest Oil.

Wow, thanks guys for including my restored Texaco pump picture above!! And, Bob in answer to your suggestion regarding paint info...my neighbor's body shop here in Elk Grove, prepped and painted the sheet metal for me with base coat/clearcoat using current Corvette C5 generation Torch Red. When disassembling the pump I found it was originally red, then yellow, then white when I acquired it. There were no signs or ad glass to hint on what brand(s) of gasoline were running through this pump during its life time. One corner was tweaked pretty badly bending the frame. Aligning the doors was a real headache.

Jim Wilke also sent in this cool brochure.

Pictured below is a Bennett 541 that came off a farm about 25 miles north of Wilmington NC. I have not been able to determine what brand it pumped. The old fellow I purchased it from said Mobil but I can't carry that theory to the bank.


The next picture is a Bennett 371 with the four ad glass top. I wish I would've took my picture from the side to show that. This pump came from the midwest, I purchased it from a collector. As discussed elsewhere in oldgas the 371 is basically the same as the 541 except it has a pipe frame. I will post some pictures showing this at some point soon.


Thanks for looking and PLEASE keep the replies coming! Be it stories, info, pictures, BS, whatever, that's what keeps our POTM series healthy!!

gas pump freak

Here is a diamond in the rough. I call this my 60 mph pump as that's how fast I was going when I spoted it by a barn a couple years ago. Hung a U-turn and made the deal and hauled it home. Ted