mid 20th century
cars car
indicators traffic
control petrol
filling
stations AA
roadside support double-declutching
gears bicycles

Buying petrol in 1940s and 1950s Britain

Petrol stations - known as garages

Petrol rationing is on the menu for rationing and shortages in and after the Second World War

Typical old style petrol station, known as a garage, 1940s, 1950s and 1960s Britain

A typical urban old petrol station (then known as a 'garage'). Photo courtesy of Send and Ripley History Society.

Old rural petrol station and car mechanic's workshop

A rural garage which doubled as a car mechanic's workshop. Photographed in Tylford Rural Life Centre

Garage attendant filling a car, as was the custom in 1940s-1960s Britain

Garage attendant filling a car with petrol. Screen shot from an old film

When I was a child in the 1940s and 1950s the petrol stations that I saw were not normally custom built. They were in buildings built for other purposes and adapted, as shown in the photo. They were always known as 'garages', and a mechanic was on hand for repairs and advice.

In rural areas, though, where space was not at a premium, there were garages that might be called custom-built, although they were more like elaborate sheds.

Why petrol stations were called garages

Garages did more than just sell petrol. They invariable employed mechanics who could make repairs to cars. In those days, car engines were not as complex as they are today, so it was not unreasonable for mechanics to be adequately familiar with the engine of any make of car.

Filling up with petrol: garage attendants

For much of my life and earlier, it was unheard of to fill one's car oneself.

All garages had one or more attendant who kept a look-out for customers and came out to them to fill their cars. The driver paid through the window; change was brought back to him; and he never had to get out of the car.

Garage attendants always seemed to wear dirty overalls, so perhaps filling cars was dirtier in those days or perhaps the attendants also doubled as mechanics. Either way, customers kept their hands and clothes clean.

Changing prices of petrol

The spiralling costs of petrol has been a feature of driving during my lifetime and I wish that I had kept a record. What I can remember from around the end of the 1960s was a student announcing to a group, "Do you realise that petrol is set to go up to 50p per gallon!?" Everyone was amazed and incredulous. If you have any recollections from the early days, please get in touch.

Petrol pumps

The design of petrol pumps changed over the years. The following pictures are presented in what I believe may be date order - unless you know different. However, almost certainly designs were phased in and out.

These are the type that I remember from the 1940s and 50s.

Petrol pumps photographed in the Black Country Museum

Petrol pumps photographed in Amberley Museum

Petrol advert, photographed in Brooklands Museum

If you can add anything to this page or provide a photo, I would be pleased if you would contact me.

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