Wakefield Castrol Lubrication Wall Chart — 1931 Morris Minor (Pre‑War), Flier & Envelope
This is an exceptionally early and unusually complete Wakefield Castrol lubrication wall chart issued in March 1931 for the first‑generation, pre‑war Morris Minor (1928–1934). Printed by C. C. Wakefield & Co., Ltd., the chart was designed for garage workshops and service depots, providing a detailed lubrication schedule for the early 847cc overhead‑camshaft (OHC) Minor — the Wolseley‑derived engine used before Morris transitioned to the side‑valve unit later in 1931.
The chart presents a large central mechanical blueprint of the chassis, showing the beam axle layout, semi‑elliptic leaf springs, cable‑operated drum brakes, wire wheels, and upright radiator casing characteristic of early 1930s British automotive engineering. Surrounding the diagram are Wakefield’s lubrication instructions, specifying intervals in hundreds of miles and detailing the correct use of Castrol “A” Medium Motor Oil for the engine and Castrol “D” Gear Oil for gearbox, rear axle, hubs, shackles, steering components and propeller shaft joints. Additional notes cover distributor and generator lubrication using Wakefield OILTEX, along with upper‑cylinder lubrication guidance — a period practice intended to protect valve stems and guides during cold running.
The chart’s printer’s code in the lower margin (showing the 31 and 10/31 sequence) confirms a 1931 printing, placing it squarely within the OHC era and making it one of the earliest surviving Morris Minor lubrication charts. Wakefield’s pre‑BP branding, the two‑colour lithography, and the technical layout all reflect interwar industrial design and workshop documentation practices.
What makes this example exceptional is its survival state. Most charts of this type were pinned to garage walls and exposed to decades of oil vapour, grease, sunlight and mechanical wear. This copy, however, was preserved in its original Wakefield‑stamped delivery envelope, accompanied by the original Castrol promotional flyer, both of which protected the chart from environmental damage for nearly a century. The result is a remarkably crisp, bright and clean technical poster — a rare intact archive set from early 1930s British motoring history.
As an artefact, it sits at the intersection of Industrial, Technical Heritage and Works on Paper. The combination of interwar automotive engineering, petroleum branding, and workshop documentation makes it a standout centrepiece for collections focused on early motoring, industrial design, or British manufacturing culture.
The original Wakefield‑stamped delivery envelope bears a handwritten “1934” date, likely added by a garage or depot clerk when the set was filed or stored. The chart itself is conclusively dated March 1931 by the Wakefield printer’s code, and the technical content corresponds to the early OHC Morris Minor (1928–1931).
Condition Report
Chart: Near Fine — bright inks, crisp fold lines, no oil staining, no workshop wear, no pinholes. Paper remains clean and strong with vivid red border lines and fully legible technical text. Flyer: Near Fine — clean, sharp, and well‑preserved, protected by the envelope. Envelope: Very Good — minor foxing consistent with age; structurally intact; has effectively protected the chart and flyer for 95 years.
A rare, complete 1931 archive set, exceptionally preserved and highly desirable within interwar British automotive ephemera.
£200.00
