Vintage Garage Feature on the Power Petroleum "Power Topics" Magazine

A short feature looking at some of the pictorial contents of the company magazine "Power Topics"

The Power Petroleum Company Limited was founded on August 10th 1922 and this anniversary issue of "Power Topics" tells the story of the first 40 years of the company.

samples of which were saved and sent in by Sallie whose Father, Philip Duke, was a tanker driver for the firm. Philip started working as a tanker driver in the mid-fifties at Weedon in Northamptonshire. He then transferred in 1959 to a new depot at Royston in Hertfordshire where he stayed for 10 years before moving back to Northampton in 1969. By then he was employed by BP as Power Petroleum no longer existed - they were absorbed by the National Benzole Co Ltd who were also owned by Shell-Mex & BP Ltd. He later gave up tanker driving and took on new duties including working in the yard and routing the lorries. Oil must have been in his blood though for when he retired from BP he found a part time job with Burmah Oil at a small depot in Harlestone near to the Spencer estate.

The Power Topics magazines which allow a good appreciation of the company vehicles and livery styles together with some other interesting photographs such as the superb image of the cat and the globe, and the fair maiden attending the Hammond Petrol Pump. They also give good background history to the company itself as well as the oil industry in general. These magazines are worth looking out for and particularly the earlier versions which were called "Power Times".

More of the Power Petroleum story can be found in the history section or by clicking this link - brief company history of Power Petroleum

Circa 1930's, amazing photograph of one of the most sought after petrol pump globes precariously perched on the edge of a table with a cat trying to get out of it. Did the globe and cat survive? Who knows but a salutary lesson for those globe collectors with pet animals. Isle of Grain silos for the Power Petroleum's tank farm circa 1928.	Filling Station at Widnes, Lancs, circa 1932		The first ever Veteran Car Rally in Scotland was held between July 10th and 12th 1959 and seen re-fuelling at a National Benzole / Power site along the route is a 1910 Argyll Tourer and a 1904 De Dion Bouton 2 seater. The 1962 Scottish Motor Show and a chance to top up from a specially designed Power Petrol beer dispenser.

1920's Power Petroleum petrol tanker	A nice line up of the Power Petroleum company fleet of 1928	1920's an Albion Power Petroleum petrol tanker	Circa 1950's, tanker and tank trailor at a fuel distribution depot.

1962 Driver of the Year contest regional heat at Thame with J.C.N. Lees at the wheel of the Power Tanker.	1962 Driver of the Year contest regional heat at York with C. Arundel at the wheel of the Power Tanker.	Tanker driver C. M. Lindley (North Midland) at Coventry circa 1962.	Circa 1961, Power transport supplying Gas Oil to earth moving equipment at the site of the British Hydro Chemicals, Baglan, South Wales.

Power Petroleum's London Division own Driver of the Year Contest 1960 with driver J. Gibson at the wheel.	Power Petroleum's London Division own Driver of the Year Contest 1960 with driver W. Mears at the wheel.	Driver W. C. Bissett of the Stourport Depot is ready to support the 1959 Stourport Carnival.	A 3,500 gallon Leyland Octopus tanker supporting the 1960 Hastings (top photo) and Lewes Carnivals.

A new bulk lubricants vehicle of 1962 based on a Morris chasis with a capacity of 1,500 gallons in three 200 and three 300 gallon compartments.	1962 saw one of the first articulated vehicles to be operated by the company. The tractor units are a version of the Leyland Beaver and are finished in white with grey wings with the tanker being in "Power" green.	1962 saw one of the first articulated vehicles to be operated by the company. The tractor units are a version of the Leyland Beaver and are finished in white with grey wings with the tanker being in "Power" green.	Power's latest 3,200 fuel oil tanker in new company livery on show at the Commercial Motor Show, London, 1962.

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