Duckhams receives overwhelming support for relaunch at NEC Classic Motorshow

Classic car enthusiasts from all over the UK and beyond gathered at Birmingham’s NEC to celebrate another fantastic year for the classic car world. The event, now in its 33^rd year attracted huge crowds once again who poured over the 2,500 vehicles on display.

In addition to the stunning exhibits, the show played host to the re-launch of Duckhams Oil in the company of 71,000 classic car fans, 257 clubs and many invited guests and members of the motoring press.

Duckhams, the much loved oil brand, known around the world for its distinctive green hue has been inextricably linked to British motoring heritage since 1899. Duckhams invented Europe’s first ever multi-grade oil, Duckhams Q in 1951, an advancement that changed the face of automotive lubricants forever.

The NEC classic Motorshow was the perfect place to announce our return as our initial focus is on oils for classic vehicles, with the intention of expanding the range into motorsport and modern vehicles in 2018.

Duckhams was specified by almost all UK vehicle manufacturers responsible for producing cars from the golden era of motoring. MG, Morris, Wolseley, Rover and BMC all recommended that you didn’t use anything else!

DUCKHAMS UNVEILS HERITAGE TIMELINE

Motoring fans cannot fail to be impressed by the achievements that Duckhams has written into the brands heritage.

At the show, key moments in the company’s history were displayed alongside artifacts from the Duckhams archive on a timeline display throughout the NEC Classic Motor Show weekend on the Duckhams stand. Those moments included the development of Q20w-50 with Morris, making the ground breaking compact design of the Mini possible, through providing Morris with oil that could cope with lubricating both the engine and gearbox. Also the stories behind when MG broke the land speed records in Utah in the early 1950s, and James Hunt taking his first F1 victory for Hesketh, – all with Duckhams Q in their sumps!

You can view the online version of the Duckhams Heritage timeline here.

Martin Gough, Director for Classic, Motorsport and Industrial explained at the show, “As car fans, we are fiercely proud of our contribution to British motoring heritage. We are especially looking forward to supporting the clubs and enthusiasts that make up our vibrant classic car community. Duckhams has succeeded since 1899, precisely because of a fantastic combination of experience, knowledge and innovation, which we will continue.”

Martin Gough added, “We have painstakingly recreated the green colour to Duckhams Q20w-50 multi-grade that everyone knows and trusts, but have ensured that the formulation has moved with the times to offer the latest technology to protect cherished engines, both out on the road and in winter hibernation.”

The products on sale at the show included two mono-grades, SAE30 and SAE40 and their well-respected ground breaking multi-grade, Duckhams Classic Q20w-50 of which visitors to the stand were given the opportunity to purchase collectors limited edition cans.

LAUNCH ATTRACTS SPECIAL GUESTS FROM THE WORLD OF MOTORSPORT

 As part of the launch, Duckhams celebrated their motorsport heritage by displaying the Ford RS500 ex DTM car. The BTCC ace veteran Karl Jones drove the vehicle at this year’s Silverstone Classic.

Welshman Karl Jones started racing in 1981 and stepped up to the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) in 1988, competing for two seasons in his Duckhams backed Group A Ford Sierra RS500. Karl will be on hand to share his memories of racing for Duckhams and explain the pivotal role that Duckhams played in his career.

Speaking to the classic car press on launch day Karl Jones said, “I’m very proud to be here supporting the return of a brand that played such a massive part of my life for so many years. When I was racing the RS500 in the BTCC there was only one choice of oil when it came to coping with the incredibly high temperatures of the car’s turbo. The engines choice was always Duckhams QXR of course.”

Friday afternoon saw award winning motoring journalist and PR specialist Wayne Scott host a press conference and presentation to over a hundred assembled members of the motoring press, car club representatives and fans including an interview with Director for Classic and Motorsport, Martin Gough and BTCC ace Karl Jones.

Saturday saw the WRC driver Louise Cook in attendance on the Duckhams stand to talk to her many fans. Louise Cook made history in 2012 becoming the FIA Production car Cup for Drivers of 2WD Champion and the first female to gain a FIA Rally Championship Title not specifically for women. Duckhams sponsored her entry into the 2016 season with a Ford Fiesta WRC rally car and are keen to support up and coming stars of the future within motorsport.