Mayfair - 2014-04-23 2:25 PM

June 20, 1960

Macy's, NYC

Mayfair - 2014-04-23 2:25 PM

June 20, 1960

Macy's, NYC

GaryS - 2014-04-22 6:17 AM



I saw lots of cars from that era exceed 100,000 miles, though anything over that amount was usually considered a bonus. You could reasonably expect to re-ring and grind valves at that mark.

It wasn't all the car design, but also external factors. Lubricants were not nearly as good as those of today, and roads were much worse. Very few roads were paved where I lived, so the cars were constantly exposed to rough dirt and gravel, and all the dust kicked up while driving. Filters plugged, seals leaked and grit wore out bearings and brakes. The same roads turned to mud bogs when it rained, exposing the entire undercarriage to four-wheeling conditions. Winter brought snow drifts to plough through and washboard ice in towns that shook bodies apart. We didn't have a garage for our cars, as they were reserved for farm equipment. When temps dipped below zero, you pumped the accelerator to pour raw gas into the engine so it would start, and often used ether in extreme cold. Imagine the cylinder wall lubrication issues that caused.

I will also take issue with 12 mpg average. Yes, on some cars that was normal, especially if you lived in cities, but all the 318 powered cars we had averaged about 18, and flathead sixes were in the 20 range. Manual overdrive bought you one or two more.

Mayfair - 2014-04-16 2:21 AM

May 19, 1960 Times Square NYC

Note very early 1957 Plymouth taxi with wide slots in front pan