This Redex petrol additive dispenser pump is a striking and highly collectible piece of motoring history from the golden age of the British garage. It dates from the 1940s to the 1950s, when Redex became a household name synonymous with engine protection and fuel efficiency. The cylindrical pump design, with its distinctive orange-and-white branding and embossed base, made it a familiar sight on service station forecourts and workshop counters across the United Kingdom.

Product Details

• Brand: Redex Ltd

• Type: Petrol additive dispenser pump

• Period: Circa 1940s–1950s

• Material: Metal and glass cylinder with brass pump mechanism

• Colour: Silver base with red-and-white Redex branding

• Condition: Immaculate restored condition

• Features: Brass plunger handle, measuring scale, and flexible delivery tube

• Use: For dispensing Redex petrol additive directly into a vehicle’s fuel system

Historical Background

Redex was founded in 1922 in Britain and became one of the most famous automotive additive brands of the 20th century. The company introduced the concept of “upper cylinder lubrication,” marketing its additive as a way to improve performance, reduce wear, and prolong engine life in the age of leaded petrol and basic oil technology.

By the 1930s, Redex had become a trusted name in garages nationwide. Its distinctive “Red X” logo and the slogan “Add Redex to Your Petrol” were widely recognised, with promotional campaigns and service schemes designed to build customer loyalty. Mechanics and petrol stations were often appointed as official “Redex Service Agents,” offering motorists a measured dose of the additive during each fuel fill-up.

This dispenser pump was part of that service. Mounted on a forecourt counter or near the petrol pump, it was used by attendants to measure and deliver precise quantities of Redex into the fuel tank or oil system. The pump mechanism ensured accurate dosing, typically adding one shot per gallon of fuel.

Design and Features

The Redex dispenser combines practical engineering with strong branding. The cylindrical glass body allowed attendants and customers to see the additive inside, reinforcing the idea of transparency and quality. The metal base, embossed with “REDEX,” provided stability, while the brass plunger and delivery tube offered durability and ease of use.

The bold orange-and-white label features the famous Redex cross logo, a symbol of the company’s “Redex Conversion” service — a marketing campaign promising improved engine performance and efficiency after regular Redex treatments.

These dispensers were produced for many years in slightly varying designs, but all shared the same functional form and clear branding, making them instantly recognisable on garage forecourts.

Collectibility

Original Redex pumps like this one are now highly desirable among collectors of petroliana and vintage motoring memorabilia. Their industrial aesthetic, combined with the nostalgic Redex branding, makes them a favourite for display in collections, classic car garages, and museum exhibits.

Many examples were lost when garages modernised during the 1960s and 1970s, making well-preserved survivors rare. This example, retaining its original graphics, brass plunger, and measurement markings, is a particularly fine and authentic piece.

Summary

• Original Redex petrol additive dispenser from the 1940s–1950s

• Used in garages and service stations as part of the “Redex Service Scheme”

• Features embossed base, glass measuring cylinder, and original branding

• A rare and iconic example of early motoring advertising and engineering

• Highly collectible piece of British petroliana history

This Redex dispenser embodies the innovation and optimism of post-war motoring. Its combination of practical design and powerful branding captures an era when garage forecourts were filled with hands-on service and the promise of smoother, more efficient driving.