Thrifty Photos

A rare Thrifty station on El Segundo Blvd., El Segundo, CA about two blocks east of the 405.
This has to be the last of the Mohicans, as the Thrifty locations were all (I thought) converted to
Arco a decade ago, and then most of these locations moved on to the USA brand a couple of years ago.
This one is a former Gulf ranch-style station. At first glance, it closely resembles a Shell from
the same period...but if you look closely, the sales office is pushed forward a few feet from the
line of the former service bays...and that is the difference between the Shell and Gulf models.

Thrifty began in the 1960's, and grew to prominence in the California market after purchasing American Oil's
California stations in late 1972 or so. In the mid to late 80's, they purchased the SoCal area Gulf stations from Chevron.
Gulf had abandoned the Northern California market in 1975, and those stations were sold off or rebranded to
jobber brands like Olympic and Red Triangle. Arco was Thrifty's major supplier and later the Thrifty stations were converted to the Arco brand.

This Highway sign is unusual, too...usually there was just a temporary sign covering the Gulf disc saying
either 'Thifty' or just 'Gas', and those stayed up until relaxed with the Arco signage.

This station is dualed with a sunshine convenience store, as were a few other Thrifty's in LA and Orange County.
Photo and info from David Aldred, March 2015.

Two photos of the Thrifty Oil Company station at the corner of Glenoaks Blvd. and Tuxford St. in Sun Valley, CA.
In the background is a Pacific Pride station. Photos taken Nov. 30, 2002 by J. Eric Freedner.