1940 Oil Filter Question

[40 Deluxe]

I'm thinking that was akin to "average miles per gallon" we see these days. Some truth and some embellishment.

Not change the oil for 5000 miles in 1940? I suppose if you were excepting to replace the engine at 35,000 miles that would've been fine.
Even through the 1960's most cars (with MUCH better oils) were suggesting 2000 / 2500 mile intervals.
Methinks a tad heavy on the "embellishment" and a tad light on the "truth" back then.

I agree with you 100%! I couldn't believe my eyes when I first read that. Maybe Ford's reasoning was the need for seasonal oil changes since this was before multiple viscosity oil (10 in winter, 30 in summer). Plus, people didn't drive nearly as much then. My '40 had 36,000 miles on it when Dad bought it from the original owner. It was last licensed in 1969. It smoked like mad when he got it running. The cylinder walls looked like glass. No doubt glazed due to a lot of short trips.