The Rise of Sinclair Dino Signs: Why Collectors Still Chase the Green Dinosaur

Before LED lighting. Before aluminum signs with cheap stickers. There was the Dino.

Sinclair’s green dinosaur wasn’t just a clever marketing gimmick—it was a symbol of the American road. Painted on gas pumps, glowing from porcelain and neon signs, and planted along highways from the Midwest to the Rockies, that brontosaurus burned itself into the memories of millions of drivers. And for collectors? It’s still one of the most chased signs in the game.

🔧 Built on Oil, Cemented in Memory

Sinclair introduced the Dino in the 1930s to promote its high-quality lubricants made from crude oil that dated back to the Mesozoic era. The idea stuck—and so did the dinosaur. By the 1950s and '60s, it was everywhere: gas stations, parades, toy banks, and full-size fiberglass displays. But it was the Sinclair porcelain and neon signage that collectors still talk about today.

🔥 Why Dino Signs Are So Popular Today

• Iconic Branding – There’s nothing else quite like it. The green dinosaur is instantly recognizable and carries a dose of Americana that few brands can match.

• Nostalgia-Fueled Demand – For many, these signs recall family road trips, dad’s old garage, or a glowing landmark off a quiet two-lane road.

• Real Materials – Original Sinclair signs were built to last: thick porcelain enamel on steel, handblown neon tubing, and bold colors that still pop decades later.

• Hard to Find, Harder to Afford – Originals are rare and expensive—if they aren’t damaged. That’s why collectors are turning to high-quality reproductions made the right way.

🛠️ We Bring Them Back—The Right Way

At Porcelain Advertising, we don’t just print a sticker and call it a sign. Every Sinclair piece we offer—whether it's a porcelain reproduction or a neon version with real handblown tubing—is built with the same pride and craftsmanship the originals had. Heavy 1/4” steel. Kiln-fired porcelain. Hand-punched mounting holes. And for neon? Powder-coated steel cans, UL-rated transformers, and that warm nostalgic glow.

If you’ve been hunting for a Sinclair Dino die cut neon sign or a classic Sinclair Dino round neon can that actually feels right—look no further. These weren’t meant to sit in a closet. They were built to light up the room, the garage, or the shop.

Want more? We talk more about Why Collector's Still Buy Vintage Sinclair Signs in another blog post.