Picture it: North Dakota, 1928. You are the proud owner of a Ford Model T. You get a post card in the mail from C.R. Gleason, Co., from where you purchased the Model T, reminding you to properly service and maintain your Model T so that it lasts you for many years. Never experienced the thrill of driving a Tin Lizzie? Here's a handy Beginner's Guide to Driving the Ford Model T.
Fast Forward 75 years, and that same message still holds true--regular service does preserve the longevity and residual value of your vehicle.
Even though the life expectancy of these 1920s vintage cars wasn't very long compared with today's vehicles, owners still had to maintain them at regular service intervals and enterprising dealerships created post card service reminders like this one below, from June 29, 1928:
C.R. Gleason, Co. writes:
"Dear Sir;--
We're writing this letter to you today because we want to help you get your money out of your Model T.
It's still as good a car as it was the day the Model A Ford was announced and there's no need to sacrifice it.
The Model T Ford is still used by more people than any other automobile. Eight million are in active service right now and many of them can be driven one, two, three, and five years and even longer.
Bring your car to us and let us look it over. You'll be surprised to see how little it costs to put it in tip-top shape.
New fenders, for instance, cost from $3.50 to $5.00 each, with a labor charge of $1.00 to $2.50. Tuning up the motor and replacing the commutator case, brush and vibrator points costs only $1.00, with a small charge for material. Brake shoes can be installed and emergency brakes equalized for a labor change of only $1.25. A labor charge of $4.00 to $5.00 will cover the overhauling of the front axle, rebushing springs and spring perches, and straightening, aligning, and adjusting wheels.
THe labor charge for overhauling the average rear axle runs from $5.75 to $7.00. Grinding valves and cleaning carbon can be done for $3.00 to $4.00.
A set of four new pistons and rings cost only $7.00. For a labor charge of $20 to $25.00 you can have your motor and transmission completely overhauled. Parts are extra.
Very truly yours,
C.R. Gleason, Co.
Bottineau, North Dakota.
Here is an image of the actual post card:
For Subaru owners, a detailed Recommended Service Schedule comes included with the Owner's Manual. Don't have one? For 2013 Subaru vehicles, we have a schedule available here. For Subaru models made after Model Year 2000, you can download a copy of your Subaru's owner's manual online by visiting the Subaru Owner Resource Center at Subaru.com.
Click here for Recommended Service Schedule for Subaru vehicles requiring conventional oil.
The Recommended Service Schedule for Subaru Vehicles requiring Synthetic Oil will be available online soon. Until it is available online, our Service Department can answer your questions and give you a printed recommended service schedule.
This story and photos were submitted by our Finance Manager.
Do you have a vintage vehicle and/or a vintage service reminder that you'd like to share? Send it along to us! Emails can be sent to internet@stanleysubaru.com.
