Testing of synthetics - late 60's/early 70's taxis

[Peva]

I recall an article in Popular Science (I think) – I’m thinking back in the late 1960’s or early 1970’s reporting the results of testing of synthetic oil (and dino oil as a control) in New York taxis for accelerated results. The comparative results for synthetics were good except for one property – and I’m thinking that could have been piston scuffing, or possibly related to draindown film retention (perhaps they're essentially the same?). The article also quoted “experts” of the day as saying that dino oil is better in that property than synthetic, and that using a blend takes care of the particular problem (whatever it was) without significantly hurting the other advantages of synthetic, IOW there was a synergisitic effect of a blend over straight synth or straight dino.

I have some questions on the subject:
(1) Does anyone here remember that testing, and if so, can you correct any misstatements I may have made above on how the test was done or its results?
(2) Whatever the one problem was that was observed with pure synthetic, is that true of modern synthetics, or have the manufacturers developed processes or additives that eliminate it?

Appreciate any comments or added info.

 

[Roger]

You aren't thinking of this old CR artile, are you?

Consumer Report Oil Article

 

[den]

I tried one of the syn back then made by the pacer corp.?The police tried it here also.I used it in a 73 Honda civic,at about 15,000 on the oil the car started to use it? My buddies73 Chevele the same thing.Both cars had about 50,000 miles when we started.There was also another oil out that had all the military specs and numbers that was developed for miletary in a gold can.The other was a white can.