Grease jobs were only $1.50 and there were in excess of 40 zerks on
Chryslers of the 40's. When the '55 Chev's came out with only five (?)
fittings we grease monkeys thought we'd died and gone to heaven, but
realized things they were a changin'. I have a lube chart for our 1955
Chrysler 300 that shows 23 fittings on the front suspension and steering
components. I always felt that the manufacturers could have moved faster,
but it was economically risky to get too far ahead of the curve--whether it
was an Airflow or a Tucker.
Today's cars are much more energy efficient due to more precise control of
fuel with electronic fuel injection--and this was driven by the need to
reduce emissions. If all of the fuel is burnt, emissions are lower and more
energy is available for moving the car. There have been lots of other
improvements in lubricants, bearings, aerodynamics that have helped improve
mpg.
Space age technology and gasoline prices rising by a factor of 10 allowed
and drove the progress--along with governmental mandates.
I recall our 1950 Studebaker Champion, 6-cylinder with overdrive--maybe
2700# would get 21 mpg on the road. Our 4WD hemi Durango will approach that
if I can keep a light touch on the pedal (no fun & hard to resist).
We love our 1955 Chrysler 300, but the Durango or our Wrangler is the ride
of choice these last 13 days with temperatures over 100.
It has been most interesting to this mechanical engineer to observe, utilize
and generally appreciate the improvements in automobiles over the years.
But, as interesting as the new Chrysler 300's are, they have created nowhere
near the public reaction as did America's first 300 HP (GASP!) stock
automobile/muscle car. The memory of that reaction 51 years ago continues
to sell Chrysler 300's.
Rich Barber
Brentwood, CA
-----Original Message-----
From: Forward Look Mopar Discussion List
[mailto:L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of eastern sierra Adj
Services
Sent: Tuesday, July 25, 2006 9:22 PM
To: L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [FWDLK] Lubricate THIS....
OK, I'm reading my current issue of Car Life magazine (12/56, so, I'm a
little behind, in my reading) and the "Car Maintenance" article says
that I "you" should lubricate your car's chassis
about ONCE per month, or every 1000 miles....
I know: the new-57's , with their ball joint suspensions, etc, require
fewer chassis lubes, but why/how are new suspension fittings so
"maintenance-free", that greasing the under-pinnings are almost
un-heard-of, now-a-days?
Were drivers back in the day, really so much tougher on their equipment?
The individual componentry were certainly tougher/stronger, than today
(where lightness/economy "rules")
Of course, checking your bias-tires' air pressure TWICE per month , is
always a good idea, I guess....you could expect get around 35K miles
on them, that way, but you'd better check for abnormal tread wear, &
rotate the tires every 5000 miles. Then, there's the MAJOR tune up,
(alternnating w/a 'minor' tune-up), every 10,000 miles
The article concludes by mentioning that per-mile "gas-and-oil" costs
might normally run
around 2.29 -2.79 cents per mile.
If inflation is 10-times mid 50's costs, that number would translate to
around 30- 80 cents per mile, today.
BUT: today, if your gas costs $3.00/gal, & if you only average 10mpg (on
average city/hwy), your gas charge, per mile would be 30 cents.
So, with today's LOWER costs of anciliary upkeep-items (battery,non-lead
gas, oil-changes, tires, spark plugs, etc), it would appear that it is
cheaper to operate our cars, today, than when they were 'new'.
Neil Vedder
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