Just for the record guys, my 1969 car still has the original wiper blades, and they're still soft enough to squeegy off the windshield when it gets wet. But I have to replace the wiper blades on my van practically every year.
I'm from Akron Ohio, The Rubber Capital of America, (well, atleast it used to be) and I used to work for B.F.Goodrich, and it really ticks me off that rubber products don't seem to hold up like they did years ago.
I can't even buy a new bag of rubber bands that's worth a crap, and yet I have old family documents in folders that have rubber bands from the 50's keeping them secured.
For what ever it's worth, I never let my gas cap "dangle", and I think I actually discovered the little pocket that's meant to hold it by the 3rd. tank full.That's why it surprised me the teather broke so soon.
The next time I talk to my German friend (who used to work for Continental Tires) I'm going to give him an ear full about German rubber products.


Oh yeah, to Marauderroy, I'm still laughing over your comment.