Tuckahoe Steam & Gas Show | Vintage "Esso" Chevy Truck and Tiger

This truck and it's iconic orange passenger in the back were at the Tuckahoe Steam and Gas Annual Show held in Easton, Maryland last summer. Amidst the tractors and steam engines, classic cars and swap meet tables, were nestled a small collection of beautiful vintage trucks.

 

This particular truck I'm not sure of the exact year and unfortunately did not located the owner to ask my (many) questions. Unsure if it was a tow truck in it's former life or is perhaps converted to the look you see now?

And then you walk around to the back of the truck.....and there he is. I'm assuming it's an original but perhaps it's not. Either way it was super cool to be able to see it up close.

I had to look up some info about the advertising legacy of the Esso Tiger. "The tiger first appeared as a mascot for the Esso brand in Norway around the turn of the 20th century. The tiger surfaced again in the 1950’s, when Esso started using it to represent quality and power. Thanks to the now famous advertising phrase, “Put a tiger in your tank”, the Esso tiger became extremely popular in Canada in the 1960’s and was featured in numerous ads, jingles, and TV commercials. After a 27-year hiatus, the Esso tiger once again earned his stripes in the 1990’s." Source

"A 1965 ad for Esso, which eventually became Exxon, which eventually became Exxon Mobil. Back in ’65, when the company was, uh, still Humble, putting a tiger in your tank was their primary marketing pitch for the performance boost provided by their gasoline. The tiger became a prominent part of their advertising, as witnessed by this oversize example. Leaded gas and higher octane levels provided the power for the larger and higher compression." Source

In its early days, Esso first began using the tiger as a mascot for the brand in Norway, and the mascot resurfaced in the 1950s, becoming a symbol of quality and power. The Esso Tiger gained popularity in Canada in the 1960s because of its now-famous advertising phrase, “Put a tiger in your tank,” appearing in numerous ads, jingles and TV commercials. After disappearing for 27 years, the Esso Tiger “earned his stripes” once again in the 1990s.

About the Tuckahoe Steam and Gas Association: "We are an all-volunteer organization founded in 1973 and located on Maryland's Eastern Shore to help preserve the historical Eastern Shore rural heritage. We maintain a 70-acre facility five miles north of Easton MD on which we collect, restore, display, and operate a wide variety of antique industrial machinery and agricultural equipment. We welcome the public to our annual show held on the grounds during the weekend after the Fourth of July. We also sponsor many other "open to the public" events and share our facility with various community groups. We are always actively seeking new members who share our interests and goals."


Visit the website and find them on Facebook at Tuckahoe Steam and Gas Association. 

community advocate • marketing consultant • voice for small business
classic car lover • salt life • believer that "together we accomplish more"