This BP Super petrol globe is a classic example of British forecourt design from the 1960s–1970s. Featuring the iconic green and yellow BP shield with bold red “SUPER” lettering beneath, it would have originally sat atop a petrol pump, brightly illuminated to attract motorists to the forecourt.

Product Details

• Brand: British Petroleum (BP)

• Era: 1960s–1970s

• Material: Molded plastic with coloured inserts

• Colours: Green and yellow BP shield with red “SUPER” text on a white body

• Shape: Square with rounded corners

• Function: Petrol pump globe topper

• Condition: Excellent original condition with minimal age-related wear

Historical Background

British Petroleum, founded in 1909 as the Anglo-Persian Oil Company, became one of the world’s leading fuel brands during the 20th century. By the 1960s, BP had firmly established itself as a household name across Britain, associated with modernity, performance, and reliability.

The “BP Super” branding was introduced in the post-war era to market a higher-octane grade of petrol designed for improved performance in the growing number of powerful family cars and sports vehicles on British roads. It was promoted as cleaner burning and more efficient than standard fuels, aligning with BP’s image of progress and engineering excellence.

Petrol pump globes like this one were a key part of mid-century petrol station design. Mounted on top of pumps, they were lit from inside, creating a welcoming glow for motorists both day and night. The distinctive green BP shield became one of the most recognisable symbols on British forecourts.

Design and Features

This square-form globe reflects the streamlined style of the 1960s, replacing the more ornate glass designs of earlier decades. The clean, bold lettering and bright colour palette are typical of BP’s modernist branding at the time, designed to convey energy and dependability.

The globe’s simple design ensured strong visibility even from a distance, with the contrasting colours standing out under artificial lighting. Many were produced in durable plastic, a practical improvement over the fragile glass globes used previously.

Collectibility

Original BP Super pump globes are highly sought after by collectors of petroliana and vintage motoring memorabilia. They represent a transitional era in design, bridging the classic petrol globes of the 1930s–1950s with the modern branding of the late 20th century.

Surviving examples in this condition are becoming increasingly rare, as many were removed or damaged when service stations were rebranded in the 1980s and 1990s. Today, they make standout display pieces for collectors, garages, or motoring-themed interiors.

Summary

• Genuine BP Super petrol pump globe from the 1960s–1970s

• Molded plastic with green, yellow, and red colour scheme

• Designed for use on BP Super petrol pumps across Britain

• Excellent condition with vivid original colours

• A striking piece of BP and British motoring history

This BP Super petrol globe captures the optimism and style of the golden age of motoring, when design, engineering, and brand identity came together to define the look of Britain’s roadside culture.