A quick dip into the history of an icon in the automotive industry.
Duckhams oils have been inextricably linked to the transportation industry since the Company’s founding more than 120 years ago in 1899, by eminent British chemist, Alexander Duckham.
He started the company in London, with a small loan lent to him by his father and the business went on to become part of the fabric of the British motor industry and Duckhams products sold in more than 70 countries around the world. Duckhams introduced the first multi-grade engine oil in 1951 and soon became synonymous with the leading vehicle manufacturers – throughout the 1950s, 60s and 70s, iconic British brands like MG, Triumph, Jaguar, to name just a few, all relied on Duckhams for lubricants.
In the early 1950s, Duckhams pioneered the use of synthetic technologies in automotive lubrication – at that time, the lighter colour of the oil raised concerns amongst some users that the oil was not ‘thick enough’. Duckhams’ solution was to dye the product green as a fast, visual way of signalling the very high quality base oils used in its products. Today, many motorists still associate Duckhams as ‘the green oil’ and the Classic Q 20W50 engine oil is still green today.
Duckhams has achieved great things in its rich and colourful history: things like helping make the Mini possible in the 1950s by creating an oil that could cope with the engine and gearbox using the same oil; leading motorsport engineering challenges, with names like Graham Hill, Ayrton Senna, James Hunt all having relied on Duckhams during their careers; as well as breaking land speed records!
More than 120 years since its founding, the Duckhams oils range still includes top quality traditional oils for classic cars, but moreover, the very latest technologies for the engines of today and Duckhams is still manufactured in the UK using the highest quality base oils and additives, to the highest industry standards. You can find out all the latest product information and which product is suitable for each vehicle at Duckhams.com.
Whether you’re a vehicle owner that cares about engine performance and protection, or you’re a trade professional trusted by a motorist to select the best product for their vehicle, Duckhams’ quality today is as great as its ever been. Even after all these years, we’re proud to say that Duckhams keeps you moving.
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