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A Journey Through Time: The History of Wipac from 1930 Onward

Step into the captivating chronicles of Wipac, a distinguished British automotive engineering enterprise headquartered in the charming town of Buckingham. Our remarkable journey commences in the year 1930, and as we traverse the decades, the evolution of Wipac unfolds alongside iconic imagery, capturing moments that have shaped the automotive industry.

Wipac’s story is woven with threads of ingenuity and collaboration. It all began with a pivotal merger in 1941, where the British arm of the American Witherbee Igniter Company (Wico) united forces with the esteemed British spark plug manufacturer, Pacy. This union gave rise to “Wico-Pacy,” setting up its roots in the vibrant town of Bletchley. This partnership laid the foundation for what would eventually blossom into the renowned Wipac brand.

1930s

Wico – Magneto Assembly, Perivale, 1930s

In 1959, a new chapter dawned as Wipac relocated its operations to Buckingham, marking a significant milestone accompanied by a workforce of 500 skilled individuals. Over the years, Wipac carved out a distinctive niche in the UK’s automotive landscape, achieving recognition for its outstanding car and motorbike accessories, notably including driving lamps and windscreen wiper blades.

1960s

Wico – Magneto Assembly, Perivale, 1960s

Wipac Computer Room, 1960s

Wipac – BSA Headlamp Assembly, 1960s

Wipac – Reflector Press, 1960s

1970s

Wipac Design Office, 1970s

Wipac Lighting Laboratory, 1970s

The turn of the millennium brought transformative shifts. In 1998, Wipac found a new home under the umbrella of Carclo, heralding an era of innovation centered around cutting-edge LED lights for vehicles. Wipac’s legacy would forever be intertwined with milestones like the high mounted stop lamp for the 1995 Cadillac Catera, the pioneering multifunction LED tail lamps for the 2001 Porsche Carrera GT, and the dazzling front and rear lights adorning the 2011 Lamborghini Aventador.

The narrative doesn’t stop at illuminating the roads. Wipac’s prowess extended to manufacturing vehicle antennas, an endeavor that yielded an impressive 1.4 million units in 2005 alone. In a notable stride of growth, 2007 saw Wipac’s acquisition of the esteemed Ultra Auto Design, a High Wycombe-based venture.