This Castrol GTX advertising workshop paper mat is a genuine example of 1970s British garage promotional material, issued during the height of Castrol’s marketing campaigns for its flagship GTX motor oil. Intended to protect car interiors during servicing, these paper mats also acted as striking advertisements for one of the most successful engine oils ever produced.

Product Details

• Brand: Castrol GTX

• Type: Workshop floor mat advertisement

• Period: Circa 1970s

• Material: Heavy-duty absorbent paper

• Design: Printed in bold red ink on a cream background, the mat features the slogan “Put a heart in your car,” surrounding an illustration of a Castrol GTX oil can alongside a stylised car. The Castrol GTX logo and tagline “The High Performer” are displayed prominently at the top and bottom, reinforcing brand recognition. The design combines practical workshop use with strong visual branding typical of 1970s motoring advertisements.

• Dimensions: Approximately 20 inches by 30 inches

• Condition: Excellent unused new old stock condition, with bright printing, no staining, and only minor age toning from storage.

Historical Background
Castrol GTX was introduced in 1968 and quickly became one of the most advanced and best-known motor oils of its time. It was marketed as a high-performance lubricant developed for the new generation of powerful engines emerging in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Castrol promoted GTX as providing superior protection against sludge and wear, issues that were increasingly important as cars became faster and more technologically complex.

The “Put a heart in your car” campaign was one of Castrol’s most memorable advertising slogans of the 1970s. It positioned GTX as the essential “lifeblood” of a healthy engine, appealing to both professional mechanics and everyday motorists. This marketing message linked emotional appeal with technical reliability, helping to cement Castrol’s reputation as the trusted choice for performance and protection.

During this era, Castrol was heavily involved in motorsport sponsorships, including Formula 1, rallying, and touring car racing. These associations reinforced the brand’s image as a supplier of high-performance lubricants capable of excelling under demanding conditions. The workshop materials distributed to garages, such as this floor mat, were part of a comprehensive branding strategy designed to ensure that motorists encountered the Castrol name at every level of service and maintenance.

Design and Features
The design of this mat reflects the visual trends of 1970s advertising, with dynamic typography and a sense of motion conveyed by the car illustration and circular slogan layout. The bright red colour was chosen to attract attention and evoke energy and power, qualities Castrol sought to associate with its GTX oil.

The inclusion of the phrase “The High Performer” was part of Castrol’s consistent emphasis on performance and reliability. The overall layout was simple and impactful, designed to stand out in the often greasy and cluttered environment of a service garage. The mat’s dual purpose—both functional and promotional—demonstrates how the company integrated advertising into practical, everyday items used by mechanics.

Like earlier Castrol workshop mats, these were supplied free of charge to garages as part of Castrol’s trade marketing initiatives. They served the practical purpose of keeping customer vehicles clean while also reinforcing brand loyalty among service professionals.

Collectibility
Ephemeral items such as this Castrol GTX workshop mat are now highly collectible, as few were preserved. Designed for single use and typically discarded after servicing, surviving examples in unused condition offer a rare glimpse into the branding and promotional strategies of one of the world’s most enduring oil companies.

Collectors of automobilia value these items for their connection to Castrol’s heritage and the golden age of British motoring. They are also appreciated for their graphic design, which captures the optimism and mechanical enthusiasm of the 1970s. As interest in petroliana and garage memorabilia continues to grow, these paper mats have become sought-after display pieces for enthusiasts and restorers.

Summary

• Original Castrol GTX workshop floor mat from the 1970s

• Features “Put a heart in your car” slogan and “The High Performer” branding

• Printed in red on cream heavy paper for garage use

• Excellent unused new old stock condition

• Represents Castrol’s successful marketing of its flagship motor oil

• Rare surviving example of promotional material from the peak of British motoring culture

This Castrol GTX paper mat is a vivid reminder of the brand’s dominance in the automotive oil market and its enduring ability to blend practical engineering with memorable advertising. It stands as both a collectible piece of motoring history and a snapshot of the confident, performance-driven spirit of the 1970s.