The plastic petrol can turns 50
11/03/2022
We have not researched this in depth, but in 1973, an advertisement from "Hostalen" appeared in ADAC Motorwelt stating that the first 10-liter plastic petrol canister was now available. Apparently, the practical replacement canisters up to then had typically been made of sheet steel and were therefore probably heavier and more susceptible to dents than the innovative plastic containers that Hostalen - "a plastic from Hoechst" - was able to present.
The plastic canister was available with a capacity of five or 10 liters and Hostalen praised it with many words:
"A fuel canister that weighs little, doesn't rattle, doesn't rust. From Hostalen. That means safety and independence for you. Because 10 liters of fuel reserve can be a real help on long journeys. Of course, the new big one had to comply with the strict German safety regulations. Hoechst has developed a special type of Hostalen for this purpose. A material that meets all safety requirements. Officially tested and officially approved. So now both are available: the tried and tested 5-liter canister and the large 10-liter canister, which takes up surprisingly little space."
Petrol cans were still found in many cars 50 years ago, but today they have probably almost disappeared from everyday life, a range of over 1000 km and not least the problem that you shouldn't drive a diesel empty at all have probably put an end to it. Or are we mistaken?
P.S. Here is the whole ad:
