Castrol Classic Oils

What Castrol Classic Oils does

Castrol Classic Oils is the appointed global supplier and exclusive licensee of the Castrol Classic lubricant range, producing specialty engine oils, gear oils, brake fluids, greases, fuel additives, two-stroke oils, and branded merchandise designed specifically for veteran, vintage, and classic motor vehicles built from the 1900s through the early 1990s. The company is operated by Promapac LLP, a private UK limited liability partnership headquartered in Swavesey, Cambridge, under a 30+ year licensing arrangement with Castrol Ltd, and its formulations are distinguished by low-detergent mineral base oils in original viscosities combined with ZDDP anti-wear additives suitable for older engine architectures, cork/graphite/rope seals, and splash-lubrication systems that modern multigrade synthetics do not accommodate.

The business sells primarily through a global dealer network supplemented by a direct e-commerce shop (classicoilsshop.co.uk) and, since August 2024, through Castrol Classic USA operated by Formula Distribution & Logistics LLC out of Texas. It serves three core customer segments: classic vehicle owners selecting lubricants per the original vehicle handbook, professional and hobbyist restorers, and motorsport competitors in historic racing. Distribution is reinforced by partnerships with marque heritage trusts and British motorsport museums, sponsorship of teams and venues including Shelsley Walsh, and a public Oil Finder specification tool covering vehicle marques from 1908 to the early 1980s.

Revenue is generated almost entirely through one-time product sales of lubricant SKUs in 1-litre, 5-litre, and bulk formats, with ancillary income from Castrol Classic-branded merchandise and motorsport sponsorship packages. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; customers rely on a sales and technical helpdesk for vehicle-specific recommendations. The company has no disclosed institutional funding, no public listing, and is privately held through Promapac LLP.

Name

Castrol Classic Oils

Legal name

Promapac LLP

Website

https://classicoils.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1993

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Castrol Classic Oils, operated by Promapac LLP, is the global licensed supplier of Castrol's specialty lubricant range for veteran, vintage, and classic motor vehicles from the 1900s to the early 1990s, serving enthusiasts, restorers, and historic motorsport competitors through a dealer network, e-commerce, and US distribution.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Classic Vehicle Lubricants

NAICS

Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191)

SIC

Miscellaneous Products Of Petroleum & Coal (2990), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Automotive Lubricants (PCMO, HDMO, ATF, Gear Oils, Coolants) (EUALAJAH)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lubricant Formulation & Blending (Finished Lubricants) (EUALAJAC), Lubricant Additives & Performance Chemicals (EUALAJAB), Fuel Additives & Lubricant Additives (IMAEAMAL), Industrial Lubricants (Hydraulics, Gear, Compressor, Turbine, Metalworking) (EUALAJAG)

Keywords

• Classic vehicle lubricants
• Engine oils
• Gear oils
• Brake fluids
• Fuel additives

Headquarters

HQ city

Cambridge

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Classic Lubricant Products: Sale of engine oils, gear oils, brake fluids, greases, and additives for classic, vintage, and veteran vehicles. Products include monograde and multigrade engine oils, extreme pressure gear oils, limited slip differential oils, and specialty brake fluids.
2. Merchandise: Sale of Castrol branded merchandise including period-style workshop items, clothing, accessories, signs, and promotional materials with iconic 1946 Castrol Classic branding.
3. Fuel Additives: Sale of Valvemaster lead replacement additives and Etha-Guard ethanol stabilisers for classic vehicle fuel system protection.
4. Racing Lubricants: Specialist motorsport lubricants including R40 castor-based racing oil, XXL40, GP50, and performance brake fluids for competition use.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Castrol Classic Oils produces and distributes specialty lubricants formulated to original viscosities for veteran, vintage, and classic motor vehicles built between 1900 and the early 1990s. The range covers engine oils, gear oils, brake fluids, greases, fuel additives, and two-stroke oils, all built on low-detergent mineral base oils with ZDDP anti-wear additives matched to original manufacturer specifications. Products are sold under license from Castrol Ltd through a global dealer network, an online shop, and a US distribution partner.

Product overview

Castrol Classic Oils operates as a licensed global supplier of Castrol's classic lubricant range, producing specialty oils for veteran, vintage and classic motor vehicles from the 1900s to the early 1990s. The product portfolio is organized under the Castrol Classic brand and comprises multiple product categories: engine oils (GTX Classic 10w/40, XL20w/50, XL30, XXL40, GP50, R40 Power 1), gear oils (EP90, EP140, ST90, D140, TQF, Axle Z LSD, B373 Racing, Manual EP80W, TQ-D Dexron II), brake fluids (React SRF Racing, React Performance DOT4, DOT4), greases (Red Rubber, Waterpump, Spheerol L/EPO, Spheerol SX2, Moly, High Temperature), fuel additives (Etha-Guard Plus, Valvemaster Plus, Valvemaster), two-stroke oils (Power 1 2T, Power 1 R40, A747, XR77), and merchandise. Products are formulated using low detergent mineral base oils in viscosities matching original vehicle manufacturer specifications, with ZDDP anti-wear additives appropriate for older engine technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Castrol GTX Classic 10w/40

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Jaguar Daimler Heritage TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1983The Jaguar Daimler Heritage Trust is a registered charitable Trust established in 1983. Its purpose is to maintain and promote the permanent preservation of historic archives, artefacts and motor vehicles manufactured by Jaguar Cars Ltd and its predecessor companies.
• Brooklands MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrooklands Museum, located on the site of the world's first purpose-built race track, preserves and displays over 100 years of British motorsport and aviation history.
• National Motor MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe world-famous National Motor Museum at Beaulieu houses one of the finest collections of cars, motorcycles and motoring memorabilia, from earliest motor carriages to classic family saloons.
• National Motorcycle MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRecognised as the finest and largest British motorcycle museum in the world, originally opened in October 1984 with a collection of 350 motorcycles. The collection now boasts over 1000 machines.
• Castrol LtdcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCastrol Classic Oils is appointed global supplier, licensed by Castrol Ltd. The partnership has continued for over 30 years since 1993.
• Brookspeed AutomotiveminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrookspeed Automotive is working with the National Motor Museum on the Sunbeam 1000hp Restoration Campaign to restore Sir Henry Segrave's Sunbeam Slug.
• Shelsley WalshminorGTM or Marketing PartnerOfficial sponsor of Shelsley Walsh, the world's oldest motorsport venue still in continuous use, dating back to the early days of motorsport.
• RH ClassicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRH Classics of Melton Mowbray undertook the comprehensive 3-year restoration of Castrol Classic Oils' Austin A35 van.
• Castrol Classic USA (Formula Distribution & Logistics LLC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAwarded master distribution rights for America, operating under Formula Distribution & Logistics LLC with warehousing and nation-wide shipping facilities established in Texas.
• Manor Park ClassicsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerManor Park Classics hosts video content featuring Castrol Classic Oils MD David Sculthorpe discussing classic oil selection and vehicle bonding.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Classic Motor Oils: UK-based independent supplier of classic and vintage vehicle lubricants from multiple brands. Comparable as a specialist classic lubricant distributor serving the same enthusiast customer base in the UK market.
• Red Line Oil: US-based synthetic lubricant specialist with motorsport and performance vehicle focus. Comparable as an enthusiast-focused lubricant brand, with overlap in the racing/classic motorsport lubricant segment.

Broad incumbents

• Motul: Global French lubricant manufacturer with dedicated classic vehicle and motorsport product lines. Comparable as a broad incumbent in automotive lubricants with a focused classic vehicle sub-range targeting enthusiast and competition customers.
• Valvoline: Major US-headquartered lubricant company with classic vehicle and restoration product lines. Comparable as a broad incumbent with classic vehicle lubricant offerings relevant to the US market Castrol Classic Oils is expanding into.
• Liqui Moly: German lubricant specialist with strong classic vehicle and motorsport product positioning. Comparable as a lubricant incumbent with classic vehicle specialization competing in similar enthusiast channels across Europe.
• Comma Oil & Chemicals: UK automotive lubricant brand with broad aftermarket coverage including some classic vehicle offerings. Comparable as a UK lubricants specialist serving consumer and trade channels, though less focused on the classic niche.
• FUCHS Petrolub: Large German lubricant manufacturer with heritage and classic vehicle products in its portfolio. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering classic vehicle lubricants as part of a wider industrial and automotive range.

Direct peers

• Penrite Oil: Australian heritage lubricant brand with a strong classic and vintage vehicle range. Comparable as a specialist classic lubricant company with heritage brand positioning and direct-to-consumer and dealer distribution model.
• Morris Lubricants: UK-based lubricant manufacturer with a heritage classic and vintage vehicle product range alongside industrial lubricants. Directly comparable as a UK-based lubricant formulator with classic vehicle specialization and similar channel structure.
• Millers Oils: UK-based independent lubricant manufacturer specializing in classic, vintage, motorsport, and performance vehicle oils. Directly comparable as a specialist classic and motorsport lubricant brand serving the same enthusiast customer base in the UK and Europe.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/nickfinburgh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Castrol Classic Oils