<div dir="ltr"><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Agreed, as well. I can tell the difference between an MG TC, TD, TF, or a Triumph TR2, TR3, TR4, etc. from across the street.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Nowadays, I cannot even tell the difference between a Kia and a BMW, sad to say... </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">But, yes, the spark plugs on new cars last 100K miles, there is not a grease zerk to be found. Exhaust systems, starters, alternators, water pumps also generally are good for 100K miles. </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">These all were routine maintenance items in the past. No points, timing or carburetors to adjust on the new cars... </div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">That much said, changing the spark plugs on a MG TF is a great deal easier than changing the sparkplugs on a coil over spark plug on a turbo 4.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">A friend of mine just accidentally dropped a spark into the engine bay of his 2019 C7 Corvette and it did not come out the bottom, but it had a pronounced harmonic rattle at about 2,500 RPM that was driving him crazy.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">We had to put it on my lift and use a borescope for about 45 minutes to locate the spark plug (it had wedged in the collector of the exhaust headers),and then another 15 minutes to fabricate an "extractor" out of welding rod and fish it out.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">I had a Triumph TR6 that the shop manual called for replacing the crankshaft main bearings at 50K miles <i>as routine maintenance.</i></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">As shocking as that sounds for routine maintenance, you actually could change the main bearings in that car just by dropping the oil pan, releasing the main bearing bolts. removing the caps, and pushing out the old shells with the new shells. It really only took a couple hours to do it.</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">It took longer to adjust the valves on the DOHC shimmed engine of a Fiat 124 Spyder that I had. :-)</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">The mechanical tolerances on the new cars are so much tighter and many of the materials are superior as well. Of course much of these improved tolerances and reduced maintenance is an artifact of the emission standards that went into place 30 years ago and have been increasing (e.g., the exhaust and induction systems have to last a set number of years and a set number of miles)</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"> <br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">Yes, definitely more maintenance is required for the older vehicles, but also it generally is much easier/quicker maintenance. And I would also say, more enjoyable... :-)</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">best,</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small">doug</div><div class="gmail_default" style="font-size:small"><br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Jan 2, 2023 at 2:56 PM Jim Juhas <<a href="mailto:james.f.juhas@snet.net">james.f.juhas@snet.net</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div>
Wholeheartedly Agreed!!!!!!<br>
<br>
<div>On 1/2/2023 3:04 PM, Berry Kercheval
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<div dir="auto">Maybe mechanically, but not in style, panache or
élan. (IMHO)</div>
<div><br>
<div class="gmail_quote">
<div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Mon, Jan 2, 2023 at 10:13
AM David Scheidt <<a href="mailto:dmscheidt@gmail.com" target="_blank">dmscheidt@gmail.com</a>>
wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex">
<div dir="auto">
<div dir="ltr">
<div dir="ltr"><br>
</div>
<div dir="auto">Modern vehicles are better in every way
than old ones.</div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</div>
<br>
<fieldset></fieldset>
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</blockquote></div><br clear="all"><div><br></div>-- <br><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr">Best,<div><br><div>Doug</div></div></div></div>