If ever proof was needed of just how tightly Duckhams is woven into the fabric of British motoring history, then the following touching and heart warming story demonstrates just that. It’s a story of two people coming together and one man realising when that special lady was ‘the one for him’ over a tin of Duckhams Q20w-50. Warning, this story is a tearjerker and it’s not often one can say that about an oil story! Raymond Straughan continues.
I first met Julie, on line in 2009. I won’t bore you with my profile but Julie’s is much more interesting. It read,
- Likes, 10 pin bowling, watching sport, Cricket, Rugby, Football, F1. Holidays and visiting places, towns, castles, and old houses.
- Dislikes, Shopping, watching soaps, hang gliding, playing sport.
We both got on well via the phone and after our first date in the bowling alley we decided to keep in touch (I mustn’t have been that ugly to get a second chance) After many more phone calls and days out I invited her to my house. She already knew about the Jaguar E-Type and my ex mechanic days.
After a grand tour around my bachelor pad (ex council house) we eventually ended at the kitchen door leading into the garage. “Well I suppose you want to see the car then” I suggested.
After swooning (at the car not me) she told me of her Dad, John who restored a 1914 Dennis Fire Engine as well as 2 Massey Fergusson tractors, he also had an Austin A35 and a vintage Norton motorbike. She said, I remember my Dad stuck in the garage for hours then my Mum would shout, “John, come in and get your tea”. He would come in to the kitchen covered in oil. His boiler suit and hands, black as the roads. The smell of the oil was overpowering.
Just then I had an idea. I said, “Close your eyes”. As she closed them and I went over to my shelves and opened a tin of Duckhams Q20w 50 and said, “Have a smell of this”.
“Ooooohhhhhh she said, that’s the smell I remember”.
That my friends, is when I thought….. “I’ve cracked it!” Julie and I have been together ever since.
Ray, we at Duckhams couldn’t agree more!