1950’s Esso Tiger Advertising Statue “Put a Tiger In Your Tank”
These pictures and video are of the Esso Tiger we restored a few years back and that still guards the Retroplanet.com world headquarters. The pictures show the ‘before’, ‘during’ and ‘after’ stages. At Vintage Vending we restored 3 of these over the years. This one is the smaller of the two sizes that were used by Esso, and is different then most Tigers because of the embossed Esso logo on the back leg.
The Tiger is fiberglass so the restoration process entailed stripping the old paint, fiberglass repair work, primer, sanding, a basecoat of paint, airbrushing the details and then clear coat to finish.
Here are a couple of tips if you decide to restore one.
1. If you sandblast—be very careful. Use a media that is not that abrasive; you do not want to break through that outer layer of fiberglass. I believe we used crushed walnut shells.
2. Also, do your best to find one with its tail. Many are missing theirs and they’re not the easiest things to duplicate.
All in all, it is not a hard restoration, especially if you have access to a good airbrush artist. Good luck.
17 responses so far ↓
1 nicole vinette // Nov 20, 2008 at 11:34 am
A major sponsor of Hockey Night Hockey during The Original Six era had a car related commercial. Someone driving in to a gas station with a specific car problem. I am looking for a one word answer to the specific problem. I assume it was an Esso commercial. I was pretty young at that time. Can you help? please and thanks
2 Bill // Jun 23, 2009 at 10:58 pm
Hello
i have just acquired one of these tiger statues. I was wondering how much i could sell it for? It is in decent shape.
Thanks
3 vintagevending // Jun 24, 2009 at 9:07 am
Bill,
We aren’t able to give estimates on the value of an item. If you keep an eye on Ebay or Craig’s List, your item is sure to be listed at some point. That may give you a rough idea of it’s value but keep in mind prices vary greatly depending on condition. If anyone can help with a value of this item please comment.
4 Glenn // Sep 20, 2009 at 3:02 am
The “Put a Tiger in Your Tank” campaign dates from ca. 1964, if I’m not mistaken. I remember the commercials, and my dad picked up white hooded sweatshirts from an Esso station for us kids, with the Esso Tiger’s head on the front, and his tail on the back.
5 Peter Williams // Feb 6, 2010 at 10:48 pm
Interesting page ! . . . would like to find more Esso or Exxon Tiger advertising material from that classic marketing time, anything, stickers, logos, slogans, merchandise . .
Peter_W
6 JIM // Aug 26, 2010 at 2:47 pm
LOOKING FOR AN ESSO TIGER,ANY CONDITION.
7 albert brewster // Jan 14, 2011 at 10:03 am
brew1948gate@yahoo.com ,I have a tiger and want to sell,I’ve had it for over 40 yr.
8 JIM BIGGS // Jan 17, 2011 at 11:22 pm
I THOUGHT I WOULD NEVER GET A REPLY FOR MY REQUEST,I HOPE IT WORKS OUT.
9 John // Jan 28, 2011 at 1:43 pm
I also have a esso tiger, has some minor damage to one ear and the tail was badly repaired, looks like it spent some time at the circus also as it has some gold flake paint in places. Located in Cincinnati, OH.
10 Dale // Jan 30, 2011 at 1:18 am
Hi John,
Indication of price your after and happy to ship to Australia?
11 Jim // Jan 31, 2011 at 10:20 pm
I have an Esso Tiger in great shape
Anybody know what I could sell it for
12 Dale // Feb 17, 2011 at 1:31 am
Jim,
Interesred in buying. Do you have a price in mind.
Dale. stapo4@bigpond.com
13 Bob // Mar 27, 2011 at 8:11 pm
Does anybody know the value of the ESSO tiger head coins?
14 Anna // Jun 5, 2011 at 2:08 pm
Does anyone know where I can find an Esso tiger in Massachusetts or California? I need to take a picture of one. Thanks.
15 Mark // Jul 18, 2011 at 10:01 am
I just purchased a tiger over the weekend and am in Newburyport Ma. If you would like a picture let me know. Mark
16 Jeanette Mayo // Sep 9, 2011 at 8:10 am
I am interested in a large oval Esso tiger sign. I think it is from 1972. I first saw one at a restaurant in Greenville, SC. Anyone know where I can get one? Thanks!
17 Lori // Oct 3, 2011 at 12:33 pm
I have an Esso Tiger (the stuffed edition) from the early 1960’s. He’s been carefully cared for all of these years, his tail tho is a little loose, though still intact. Anyone know the value of this little guy?
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