From the archives of Bob Montgomery, motoring historian
In the gentler age that was the 1950s and '60s, small boys dreamed of being test pilots, firemen, train or racing drivers. Weekly comics such as the extraordinary Eagle fuelled these dreams and laid the foundations for countless future successes.
And although not intended for solely schoolboy consumption, the many successful advertising booklets produced by such commercial giants of the motor world as Shell, Ferodo and Castrol, contributed in no small way to these dreams.
The grand-daddy of these books was that produced by the Castrol Oil Company called simply Achievements and known invariably as the Castrol Achievements Book.
Produced annually, the Achievements book was first published as far back as 1912, and publicised the activities of pioneers of land, sea and air, being dedicated to "that gallant company of adventurers whose feats during a single year are recorded herein". Of course, all of the achievements recorded in these booklets were attained using Castrol lubricants - these were after all, advertising booklets - and in the early years reflected the great assistance given by Charles Cheers Wakefield, the founder of 'CC Wakefield Ltd', later to become simply Castrol, to the many motor and motorcycle sportsmen and record breakers. Charles Wakefield understood the value of endorsement of his products by these men and women, many of whom would become household names. In the air also, and on water, Wakefield supported pioneering efforts as well as sponsoring many record attempts.
The rivalry between Henry Segrave and Malcolm Campbell in the 1920s would probably not have been possible without the support of Charles Wakefield - by then Lord Wakefield - for the efforts of both men, and flyers such as Amy Johnson, might never have achieved fame without the sponsorship of Wakefield at a time when their record flights were simply a dream in which only they believed.
Other companies produced their versions of the Achievements books, but only two were really of note. These were the booklets produced by the Shell Oil Company and Ferodo, the brake company, in the 1950s and '60s.
Both were heavily orientated towards Grand Prix racing, which was hardly surprising as both companies were deeply involved in this aspect of the sport.
But as good as both these productions were, the Castrol Achievements Book won for itself a special place in the hearts and minds of motoring enthusiasts. Always interesting and filled with excellent photographs, it was available free upon request by letter from local Castrol companies. At one time it was accompanied by a free lubrication chart for the car or motorcycle of your choice - a particularly shrewd piece of marketing.
But the real attraction of the Castrol Achievements Book lies in two areas: the first is undoubtedly its magnificent cover artwork and secondly in the fact that although first produced in 1912, it continues to be produced annually to this day, something none of its rivals ever came close to achieving.
Many famous artists were employed by Castrol to produce the booklet's cover artwork, including Michael Turner and Gordon Horner, and their paintings have enhanced the appearance of the booklets as well as their value as collector's items. Today, the earlier pre-second World War booklets have become very rare, while those produced prior to 1920 fetch high prices at auction, making a complete collection very rare and desirable.