My friend in London tells me Castrol has released a Classic line of motor oils for vintage bikes and cars from varying time periods, 30's 50's and 60's/70's.

He's been using the motorcycle version and loves it.
Anyone seen it here yet?

Here's the web site for it.

I can't find anything on the US site though, so it looks like it's UK only for now.

I called Castrol and their response was interesting. Check out this snip from it:

""""
Castrol is aware of articles in enthusiast magazines and web-sites, as well
as after-market parts manufacturer discussions concerning GF-4 engine oils
and cam-shaft durability issues in older performance vehicles. Some
consumers suspect the lower level of ZDDP in GF-4 oils may be causing these
failures. Castrol is currently investigating this issue.

For those consumers that wish not to use a GF-4 oil in these vehicles,
Castrol does offer the following products that contain Zinc at a level that
is typical of the Zinc level found in oils (API SG) marketed during the
"muscle car" era of time:


The following Castrol products have Zinc levels that are typical of API SG
oil:

1. Castrol Syntec 20W-50 (*NEWLY FORMULATED classic oil formula - see link
to website below for information on our new 20W-50 product)
2. Castrol SYNTEC 5W-40
3. Castrol Grand Prix 4T 10W-40 (product has been replaced by Castrol
Motorcycle 4T 10W-40)
4. Castrol Grand Prix 4T 20W-50 (product has been replaced by Castrol
Motorcycle 4T 20W-50)
5. Castrol GO! ATV 10W-40
6. Castrol GO! ATV 20W-50
7. Castrol TWS Motorsport 10W-60 (full synthetic, available @ BMW
dealerships)
8. BMW Long Life 5W-30 (full synthetic, available @ BMW dealerships)
9. Castrol GO! 10W-40 Motorcycle Oil
10. Castrol GO! 20W-50 Motorcycle Oil

If installing a new performance cam in an older performance vehicle, it is
important to:
* follow the installation recommendations provided by the cam
manufacturer
* use the recommended cam break-in lube
* prime the engine oil circuits
* use the recommended engine oil
. confirm valvetrain geometries prior to starting the engine with the
new cam

*

20w-50 classic formulation


Castrol Consumer Relations
""

wow. No comments?
I thought oil was the "hot topic"

You and me, Brer.

I emailed Castrol Classic UK, but I haven't heard back.

20w-50 classic formulation

Was this formulation on the list of engine oils tested by LN Engineering? Seems like it might be easier to find than Brad Penn.

I dont know if its the same one, Charles would know.
I spoke to Castrol and the public relations person told me this oil was supposed to address flat tappet camshaft issues and was a new formula, hence the "not safe for catalytic converter" tag? They didn't tell me any release date though.

Thanks for the info. I've been running Syntec 5W-40 for a while, so I guess I'm covered. I appreciate your time doing the research, as well as Jake and everyone else's!
Konrad 72-4

I have not tested their "classic" formulation nor the new Syntec 20w50 which was released especially for older vehicles. I would have to assume both would have levels equal to or higher than those found in GTX 20w50, and I would sure hope it's better than GTX :-)

many people appreciate your work charles.
myself included.