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Timer Pumps Castrol
Some people say collectors are nuts. If that is true, then Norm Raddatz is a Castrol "nut". Norm and his family own and operate a successful agricultural, transport and engineering supply business on the NSW Central Coast catering to a wide range of clientele. Lately his customers have been talking about the latest addition to his showroom - a 1930s fuel bowser dressed up in Castrol colours that has taken up a commanding position amongst the drums of RX Super, Seamax and GTX. "I got the idea from Castrol's bicentenary poster which featured an antique bowser," says Norm proudly. "The top piece, called a canteen, I had specially made." The rest of Norm's collection, thousands of pieces in all, comprises enamel signs, badges, pins, oil racks with embossed bottles and hundreds of sundry trinkets. "Castrol stuff is reasonably easy to collect," says Norm expertly. "There's still a bit of it about. The older brands like Wakefield are harder to get and can be very valuable." "I've had quite a few people come in especially to see the bowser. "I'm always asked if it still works and people love to just touch it," he adds with a wry smile. Automotive collectables are in great demand around the world. They feature in museums as well as personal collections and are often the subject of elaborate swap-meets. Specialist dealers have even evolved to cater to the demand. "I reckon an interesting display like this one has made a difference to the business," says Norm gesturing towards the pristine centrepiece. "It's makes the place interesting and
customers seem to appreciate the little bit of effort I've made to dress
the place up. And they notice the product too!" |