Viewing an automobile reveals either a gateway into earlier eras or a glimpse ahead. Vehicles have accompanied society for close to 140 years, and similar to paintings, clothing styles, or building designs, they mirror the unique visual and engineering progress of their time.

Cars function as devices that move us through time, notes celebrated car photographer and Pennzoil ambassador Larry Chen. Enthusiasts like him feel drawn to the way vehicles evoke memories and transport the mind to prior experiences.

Pennzoil dates back to 1913, when its initial focus centered on maintaining the basic four-cylinder engines common then. As powerplants advanced, the oil adapted accordingly. During the 1980s the company committed fully to motorsports, serving as an intense testing environment for product development. While carmakers often apply racing insights to everyday models, race-specific parts seldom reach regular production. Lubricants differ because the demands of competition directly inform the formulas sold for personal projects or daily use.

After building its reputation in open-wheel and stock-car events, Pennzoil expanded its presence worldwide. Chen became captivated by the brand's late-1990s backing of grand touring races in Japan. The sight of those yellow liveried, wide-bodied, high-downforce machines dominating circuits sparked his interest in JDM vehicles and broader car enthusiasm, which later shaped his work documenting automotive stories visually.

Pennzoil now stands for commitment to both the future and the endurance of car enthusiasm. True preservation, however, calls for advanced chemistry that resists the effects of time.

A Disposable Era

Pennzoil has promoted durability for years, yet today instant convenience, rapid shipping, and short-term vehicle leases have turned cars into items many replace rather than value. With the shift toward vehicles without engines or drivers, cultural loss looms. Chen maintains that the most responsible approach involves keeping existing machines in service.

Many assume buying a new electric vehicle is the sole green choice, Chen notes. Rather than producing endless new units, why not maintain what already exists and improve its efficiency?

Here Pennzoil Ultra Platinum steps in as a means to respect and extend the life of current vehicles. Produced from natural gas, its base oil avoids the heavy carbon deposits typical of crude sources and lacks contaminants that harm seals and parts over years. This clean composition lets engines operate more smoothly and endure longer than originally planned, serving as a subtle stand against disposable habits.

A clear link appears between fleeting digital habits, Chen's photographic work, and Pennzoil's focus on lasting performance. Chen sees the oil as protection for mechanical heritage. He describes curating car culture records for those who follow, noting that earlier photographers preserved images and vehicles he now enjoys, and he aims to offer the same opportunity ahead. For him this goes beyond routine maintenance to protecting the core elements of car enthusiasm so future enthusiasts encounter them directly instead of only on screens.

The Science of the Second Life

Chen's photography career has introduced him to countless vehicle types. As many classic JDM models reach the 25-year import threshold, more arrive on American roads.

One overseas car Chen discovered had sat unused and uncared for. After restoration in Japan he now drives it regularly, describing the effort as giving it renewed purpose and enjoyment.

Chen attributes the refined operation of his older cars to Pennzoil Ultra Platinum. Earlier oils were less refined, he explains, but the modern synthetic brings noticeable gains in engine condition. Much of this stems from cleaner internals, as the formula exceeds strict industry benchmarks for piston cleanliness through its cleansing agents and wear-reducing additives.

Chen assigns each vehicle a distinct role, from track competition and drifting to off-road use. None sit idle as display pieces; every one serves a purpose.

Car and Driver

He often employs these cars while creating his signature images, whether maneuvering a drift car to photograph others or covering demanding off-road events. His work has grown from recording high-performance moments to actively taking part and caring for the machines, echoing Pennzoil's own drive toward improved synthetic technology.

Chen stresses that his team relies on top-tier oil to ensure vehicles survive intense use. Track sessions involve sustained high revs and maximum boost, while off-road rallies demand fast driving over rough terrain. He admits to pushing equipment hard, a trait visible in both his cameras and cars.

Pennzoil's latest formula delivers strong results across temperature extremes and improved fuel efficiency. It features excellent cold-start flow that reaches critical engine parts quickly even at minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit, reducing wear during the initial moments after startup when most damage occurs. The product also includes a lifetime engine protection warranty for added assurance.

Because Chen modifies every vehicle, they face stresses beyond factory expectations and produce more power than designed. This creates extra demands on the engine.

Pennzoil Ultra Platinum counters these conditions by forming a barrier against oxidation and breakdown even at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. It focuses on preserving horsepower through reduced friction in turbocharged and supercharged setups common in his collection.

Such protection arises from a specialized three-step Gas-to-Liquid process that turns natural gas into a pure synthetic base oil. This engineered foundation shields components even during sustained high-rev operation.

The method starts with partial oxidation of natural gas to form synthesis gas. Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis then converts the gas into liquid hydrocarbons using a special catalyst. Final cracking and isomerization refine the molecules to precise lengths, after which performance additives are blended to achieve the desired viscosity and protection for high-heat turbo engines and low-speed pre-ignition events.

Inheriting the Idle

Automobiles rank among the rare interests that cross cultural and language lines, creating immediate bonds.

Chen observes that car enthusiasm lets him connect quickly with people anywhere, regardless of whether the vehicle is a modest project or a high-value collectible.

As a visual record keeper of car culture, Chen holds a long-term view: his images should endure, yet he recognizes that photos of motionless cars serve only as memorials. For the pictures to hold meaning the vehicles themselves must stay active. Pennzoil's forward-looking approach aligns with this goal by supplying the durability needed to keep driving alive for many more miles.

Chen values the partnership because Pennzoil actively backs car culture and supports creators whose work motivates younger enthusiasts.

Looking decades ahead, the aim is for today's performance cars to remain audible and operational rather than silent relics. Whether through the steady sound of a classic inline-six or the refined note of a modern hybrid V-6, these engines mark a high point in engineering worth experiencing directly.

¹ Limited Lubrication Warranty for lifetime engine protection if you exclusively use Pennzoil Ultra Platinum Full Synthetic motor oil and follow all oil change recommendations in your owner’s manual. Other conditions apply including enrollment and receipt requirements. See pennzoil.com/warranty for full details and terms.

Mara serves as creative director at Hearst Autos. Her articles have been published in Road & Track, Car and Driver, Autoweek, Harper's Bazaar, Esquire, Condé Nast Traveler, and additional outlets.