In roughly the mid-to-late '70's, thru the earliest-to-mid '80's, there was an automotive synthetic lubricants company named "Syn-Trek, Inc" (known simply as, "Syn-Trek" - no relation to Castrol's "Syntec" product brandings of very much later).
Interestingly, this outfit was marketing a line of synthetic engine and transmission oil additives that, for that time, seemed to perform rather nicely. My Dad (now almost 3 years gone, bless him) procured an independent representative status with the company, as he was quite impressed, I recall, with the line, and sensed the usefulness/salability of it. His mechanic had forthrightly recommended and "cured" (yes, I used the dreaded "C" word) some otherwise disturbing automatic trans. problems Dad was having, by installing one of their tranny formulas in his car. And, no kidding, the slipping or whatever was occurring (so many decades ago, I don't really recall) simply quit. Apparently the properties of the material eliminated the varnishing or something from the trans, and the engineered lubricity caused it to perform smoothly and flawlessly thereafter, even until he sold or traded it many years later.
Somewhat poignantly I found one of his later Syn-Trek dealer renewal ID cards in one of his desk drawers while cleaning his and Mom's things out of their home some months ago. It was dated "January 30, 1985", so we know the company was still in business at that time, at least. I don't remember hearing Dad speak much of it after that time, roughly, so they may have ceased operations not long after. And when I think about it, it's just another reminder to me of how influential my Dad has been to me throughout my own life - I carry that same interest in high-tech lubricants and other materials right on with me, today.
The '70's and even early '80's were still the "early days" of direct-to-consumer marketing of the then still relatively unknown automotive synthetics and syn. additives, in which several now well known companies got their starts, such as Conklin (actually Conklin's product developmental roots harken to the '50's) and Amsoil. And, like Syn-Trek, there were probably others.
Any other "ol' timers", like myself, remember "Syn-Trek"?
Interestingly, this outfit was marketing a line of synthetic engine and transmission oil additives that, for that time, seemed to perform rather nicely. My Dad (now almost 3 years gone, bless him) procured an independent representative status with the company, as he was quite impressed, I recall, with the line, and sensed the usefulness/salability of it. His mechanic had forthrightly recommended and "cured" (yes, I used the dreaded "C" word) some otherwise disturbing automatic trans. problems Dad was having, by installing one of their tranny formulas in his car. And, no kidding, the slipping or whatever was occurring (so many decades ago, I don't really recall) simply quit. Apparently the properties of the material eliminated the varnishing or something from the trans, and the engineered lubricity caused it to perform smoothly and flawlessly thereafter, even until he sold or traded it many years later.
Somewhat poignantly I found one of his later Syn-Trek dealer renewal ID cards in one of his desk drawers while cleaning his and Mom's things out of their home some months ago. It was dated "January 30, 1985", so we know the company was still in business at that time, at least. I don't remember hearing Dad speak much of it after that time, roughly, so they may have ceased operations not long after. And when I think about it, it's just another reminder to me of how influential my Dad has been to me throughout my own life - I carry that same interest in high-tech lubricants and other materials right on with me, today.
The '70's and even early '80's were still the "early days" of direct-to-consumer marketing of the then still relatively unknown automotive synthetics and syn. additives, in which several now well known companies got their starts, such as Conklin (actually Conklin's product developmental roots harken to the '50's) and Amsoil. And, like Syn-Trek, there were probably others.
Any other "ol' timers", like myself, remember "Syn-Trek"?
Last edited:
