Esso Research Centre, Abingdon, Oxford. September 1963 2
"An experimental service station at the Esso Research Centre, Abingdon. The station is unusual in being fabricated largely from man-made plastic materials. Among the materials used are synthetic Butyl rubber for roofing, Butyl sealing mastics, Warerite and Melamine infil panels, nylon and glass reinforced plastic for load bearing beams."
I'm sure this all sounded very impressive and modern in the era it was written but it overlooks the fact that nearly all more traditional building materials are also man-made, only stone, slate and thatch spring to mind as ones that aren't.
Anyway, we see a Triumph Herald being filled up by a lady attendant outside the modern looking forecourt building which lasted on the research site here for quite some time. It looks very much like a real petrol station but I simply do not know if it ever was open to the public or not. Certainly it was still standing seven years later looking almost identical. It's design is largely based on ones produced on the continent for a few years prior to this.
No Streetview for these of course, and in any event, the Esso Research Centre closed down a long time ago. There is a Facebook group dedicated to the research centre should anyone be interested.
www.facebook.com/groups/191730618573
Story by Richard Wooldridge, photos taken by Ron Walker apparently.
Esso Research Centre, Abingdon, Oxford. September 1963 2
"An experimental service station at the Esso Research Centre, Abingdon. The station is unusual in being fabricated largely from man-made plastic materials. Among the materials used are synthetic Butyl rubber for roofing, Butyl sealing mastics, Warerite and Melamine infil panels, nylon and glass reinforced plastic for load bearing beams."
I'm sure this all sounded very impressive and modern in the era it was written but it overlooks the fact that nearly all more traditional building materials are also man-made, only stone, slate and thatch spring to mind as ones that aren't.
Anyway, we see a Triumph Herald being filled up by a lady attendant outside the modern looking forecourt building which lasted on the research site here for quite some time. It looks very much like a real petrol station but I simply do not know if it ever was open to the public or not. Certainly it was still standing seven years later looking almost identical. It's design is largely based on ones produced on the continent for a few years prior to this.
No Streetview for these of course, and in any event, the Esso Research Centre closed down a long time ago. There is a Facebook group dedicated to the research centre should anyone be interested.
www.facebook.com/groups/191730618573
Story by Richard Wooldridge, photos taken by Ron Walker apparently.