Car Petroliana

Items of petroliana will vary in value according to how rare they are and what condition they are in. Their cost will also depend to a certain extent on where they are bought – things found in small shops or at car boot sales will be cheaper than similar pieces properly valued at dealerships and auction houses.

Working examples of pumps can cost thousands of pounds and light up signs can be even more. These items are the ones most likely to have suffered damage or be in need of extensive restoration, hence their high cost. Cheaper ones can be found but these are likely to be more modern or need a lot of work to get them back to good condition.

Enamelled metal or porcelain signs can also run into hundreds or thousands of pounds, depending on condition, rarity and age. The most sought-after examples are those which were less common when first used and have since become even more rare. Signs were used not only by garages and petroleum companies, but also car manufacturers and associated motoring firms, so there are many different examples out there.

Smaller and more common pieces such as badges, tins and cans, maps and literature will be cheaper to buy and buying these is a great way to start a petroliana collection. You may be lucky enough to find examples for just a few pounds or come across an associated lot of such things