Reply To: Engine Longevity

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My 1931 Model 43 phaeton was a very nice original car in 1959, when the previous owner bought it in New York, and drove it home to New Orleans.

These days, one would hesitate to restore (I have the 1959 picture showing a wonderful original car), but restore he did. 1959-60 restoration, and I’m sure he made sure the engine was top-notch, as he worked for and with someone who was in the automobile business.

During the 60’s, 70’s, and early 80’s, he drove the car all over the South on tours. He didn’t own a trailer, and he and his Buddy (literally, Buddy Walton from New Orleans), drove everywhere.

Conservative estimate, when I bought the car from him in the early 80’s, he had somewhere between 60,000 and 70,000 miles on the car (and engine), on antique car tours.

Car still drove strong, but was a 60’s restoration, and getting tired cosmetically. I took the engine apart, the mains were fine, we fitted modern bearings to the rods and put in new pistons and rings.

Thus, fantastic engines, if set up correctly and well maintained.

Not sure that answers the question, but these aren’t fragile or short lived engines…………..