Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Showcase and Stories, Petroliana BEST PAIR OF ORIGINAL BENNETTS

Take a look at these Bennetts. These are the best original pair that I have ever seen. I bought them at an auction in a small town in central Kentucky. Aetna is a small company that only operated in Kentucky. They were bought out be Ashland in the early 1960’s.

The pumps were complete except for the tops and of course, the globes. I got the replacement tops from Larry Robinson, the Bennett guy. My friend Greg Brown prepared the tops to be painted and replaced the key cylinders in the access doors. I talked to a man who was a Texaco dealer across the street from the Ford dealership where these pumps came from. He said that Ford stopped selling gas in the early 60’s and put the pumps in their cellar, complete with tops and globes. I guess someone took the tops so that they would have a way to display the globes. Anyhow, all we did was wash them up with a degreaser. The decal logos were on the pumps as were the inspection stickers from the State of Kentucky. I already had the globes so when I saw these pumps I had to have them. Aren’t they nice? Thanks Rex




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Those are really great looking pumps and I also like the curb sign. Thanks for posting the pictures for us to see as well as letting us know the backgound of the pumps and the company history. Scott

[This message has been edited by quartcans (edited 07-24-2003).]

great pumps and story! Thanks for sharing.

In recent discussions about original pumps vs. restored, this is an excellent example of pumps more valuable in original condition. What a great find and it would be very hard to improve on their original condition.

Very , Very , nice, like the colors, sign , it all looks great,

Awesome Rex, thanks for sharing them and the story, I don't think I've ever seen a nicer pair of Bennetts. I bought a narrow body Wayne 60 a few years ago, same colors but Home oil of BC, really sorry I sold it. Original paint is tough to beat, funny thing is in a lot of fields repainting items all but destroys the value................

Those are great looking, found the same pumps on a farm not far from here , a match set of silver Bennetts still in sevice they have a ton of paint on them, and the farmer won't part with them, Its nice to see perfect sets like this, your pumps gives me hope that someday those two silver ones will be mine.

Those are SOOOOOO pretty. I love the colors and those bennetts are some of my favorite pumps, just love them. GP Rob was suposed to sell me one, what do ya say Rob?
If original pumps could be found like those the repop guys would have to get real jobs again, lol!
Thanks for posting.

Great pumps and display, Rex. I'm completely in awe.

Great job Rex... i thought you wasn't a pump man? LOL I guess you just had to have these though. Good find... i will have to come over some weekend and check them out up close. John

Great find on those pumps Rex, especially since you already had the globes. Sooooo much cool stuff in the background too. Can't wait to take the tour!
Bob

Awsome pumps all they need is a little wax!!!

Rex, I have to add my note of "Great pumps, Great display"! Very cool. I think it's wonderful that you chose the Aetna brand. You can see Flying"A", Texaco, Shell and the others all day long. You will have to put a lot of miles on to see another Aetna.

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Don "oltoydoc" Sherwood
Vintage Gas

Rex,
Love those original Bennett pumps. Probably the cleanest ever found by anyone. Great post! I really like Bennett pumps.

Rob

Jeff I will contact you when I am in the selling mode. Right now I am collecting like you! I curently have 4 of those Bennett 371-541 pumps. They are one of my favorites.

great pumps...enjoyed your post...