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DS Boyes describes the fitting of Cord rings back in the 1950s/60s as a bodge ( Letters, 10 February). My father operated London taxis back in those days, and annual mileage was high. They were driven hard, and with oils somewhat inferior to today’s, bore wear was inevitable.

Operating day and night reduced the rate of wear because cold starts were less frequent but, even so, after roughly 120,000 miles, oil consumption was significant and at that stage we used to fit Wellworthy Duaflex rings.

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We took the pistons to Wellworthy (somewhere in south London, I can’t remember where) and they would re-cut the grooves and fit the rings. Without fail this cut the oil consumption to practically zero (especially when the engine was new), and the engine would be good for at least another 120,000 miles. It was a cheap and effective way of prolonging the life of a vehicle.

We never regarded it as a bodge. Rather, we thought it good practice. Ron Watts, King’s Lynn, Norfolk

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