Dave Plowman wrote:

Not necessarily. In the '70s, it would be hand assembled, and many of the
parts would also have been made on hand operated machinery. These days,
computer control of machinery allows far higher consistency and cheaper
production. You only have to look at how much longer car engines now last
for an example.

Hummm, Honda V-tec possibly, but not the rover 1.8 K series.....One has good
build control, the other....