Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Petroliana Value Questions TEXACO oil cart

I've got a friend that has a chance to buy one that he says is identical to mine (condition included) that I have pictured here on the far left. It doesn't have the Texaco embossed lids or the "black T" 15 inch signs.
The seller is wanting $500...... I paid $100 for mine last year.
I know they are worth more than what I paid, but I don't really know their true value.
Any help would be very much appreciated.

Given condition, $500 is too much for a generic body, lids, wheels. About half that would be within reason. You got a steal at $100!

Added value on these carts include the following:

Branded lids
Visible pump mechanisms
Brass components
Art Deco wheels
Pump plates
Porcelain drum body

Each of these categories can add from $50 to several hundred dollars to the value.

I don't think $500.00 is too much for a straight one with no missing pieces or other issues.

Look at the completed auctions on eBay. You'll see some restored selling for $600. I did see a couple unrestored go for just over $300 so seems like some people are paying a bit more than $250. I did see an unrestored trio at a show last year for $1500, but it did have it's Texaco pump plate and was a trio of visibles.

E-bay is a very poor yardstick to measure values of oversize collectibles especially when sellers list thenm as no shipping. Logistics and headaches involved in shipping larger items prevents them from realizing full value. For instance, gas pumps generally speaking don't realize fair market value. Every gas pump I've bought off of e-Bay has been a deal if not a steal.

I drove 600 miles round trip and paid $450.00 to own a good clean unrestored double lubster. They are tough to find in my area.

Dunno Dave,

Down here in SC most of them don't seem to bring serious money until restored. I do realize eBay isn't always a good judge for some things, but it is one gauge. I've had plenty of opportunity to buy lubesters, and unless the seller is a die-hard pump guy the prices for unrestored never seem to get near $500 unless they have some of the additional features I mentioned in my list.

Thanks for the information Paul and Dave it should help him out quite a bit.
Just wondering what color were these originally...... I'm guessing green.
And would anyone have a picture of an original one or one restored to period correct.
Thanks,

If going texaco I think your right about the green. Hard to find original color pictures, you may just have to take some time Googling.