Greetings . . .

Terms like "planned obsolescence" may be harsh when comparing the 30's & 40's with today. In those days there was a social expectation that was reflected in business - 'durable goods' where items that customers/business expected to buy/sell only once or twice in the lifetime of a person. Things like pots & pans, cutlery, silverware, a washing machine or even a car was considered an investment for a life time.

Moreover, cars were designed with the technology at hand - a technology which consumed certain parts as a part of normal operation/wear - this meant that a car needed to be serviced in order to last. Neglect it and the relatively cheap service parts fail inviting other more expensive parts to the party . . .

As for comparisons between filtering technologies from then and now - it's all about flow and effectiveness - and what effectiveness meant then versus now.

Back then filter materials were pretty restrictive when clean and went down hill fast as they got dirty. An oil bath setup could be nearly as effective but was way less restrictive. Modern filter materials flow like crazy and are way more effective in terms of the size of particles filtered . . .

But back then 'effective' was relative to the technology. Like John points out, not only were the tolerances less tight, the materials were more forgiving. Babbitt bearings were designed 'thick' in order to ingest metallic and gritty particles. Non detergent oils deposited fine particles into the pan as sludge which was scraped as a service operation.

Today we run detergent oils that suspend particles so that they can be trapped in a filter that is designed not-to-be-bypassed unless neglected. We need an air filter that keeps all but the smallest particles from entering an engine because the tolerances are super tight . . .

So are today's products built with a "planned obsolescence" mind set or is it merely a useful life?

Many of todays cars are rarely 'serviced' by the original owner. Under a lease the original owner uses the newest months of the cars life and turns it in for another. The Dealer then services it and sells it as a 'factory certified' used vehicle. The second owner doesn't face a service bill for some time either . . .

And what is serviceable and what is a worn out vehicle that is best replaced with a new one?

There was an article in "Auto Restorer" which asked the question "will the modern cars be restored?" They experimented with a Chevy Cavalier. They found the car way to complicated for a total rebuild . . . many of the parts are designed to quickly go-together but never to come-back-apart.

So what are we restorers to do? Upgrade our classics and antiques so that they don't need the 'servicing' they were designed for? It's certainly an option. But following the guidelines of the old days is an option as well - and for 1 or 2 thousand miles per year may be the easiest . . .

regards,
stock49

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