Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22439 Location: UK

Does anyone remember, or know about, freebies being given away, say in the 50s or before? This question arrived t'other day:

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Hello,

I have a strange request, which you may or may not be able to help me
with. Feel free to tell me to clear off. I believe that during the
earlyish part of the 20th Century some petrol companies gave away free
gifts for children, much in the same way one can collect glasses at
today's petrol pumps. Is this right? Do you know where I might be
able to find more information on this?

Regards,

Alison.
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traction39 · Joined: 19 May 2009 Posts: 399 Location: South Wales

Obviously things like Smurfs were given away. (National petrol? late 60's early 70's?)
The old "tiger in your tank" tigers tail - not sure if it was aimed at children.
World cup medals/coins.
Pez characters (sweets and dispensers) in Europe (early 70's)
Schuco minature teddy bears - BP. Quite rare 50's or 60's.
Not sure where to find info on this. Usually the collectables books have these items featured. i.e. Miller's guides. You just have to wade through them...!
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Alistair

Citroen Light 15 1953, "12" 1939,
Riley 9 Special 1932

Rusty · Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2009 11:46 am Post subject:

Over here the Shell company and I think BP used to give away "cards" to us "kids". You could get a sheet to attach them on as well and fill the sheet in as you tried to get them all before they changed the theme. I remember getting world flags and athletes at the "Empire" games, there were others but I forget what they were now. This would be circa early 60s
I think I still have a couple of the old tiger in the tank tigers around here somewhere too.

stuchamp · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 546 Location: Iowa, USA

Texaco gave out plastic fire chief helmets.
Phillips 66 and others gave out coin banks.
Shell and others gave out plastic tanker trucks.
Sinclair gave plastic Dino the Dinosaur.

They also gave out key chains, maps, glasses, and other items.
Sure wish I had kept that Texaco helmet! Very Happy

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22439 Location: UK

stuchamp · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 546 Location: Iowa, USA

Yep, that's the one! Very Happy

roverdriver · Posted: Fri Sep 25, 2009 10:33 am Post subject:

I don't remember any toys, but in the 1950's (in Australia) I made good use of the give-away cards with advertising on one side ( Wakefield oil, COR petrol etc.) and blotting paper on the other. In the days of ink wells and dip pens in the classroom, good blotting paper was a necessity.
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Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.