Everyone knows that rustproofing was a joke in the 70s The 3 (at the most) little bits of plastic on a Dolomite are a token gesture at best.
Modern cars survive better than anything from the past and it is my firm opinion that arch protectors like these have a lot to do with it.
To be sure, no system is perfect, but if you were to fit something like this and then, maybe once a year, remove and clean thoroughly behind them, you are going to improve your car's chances of survival no end. Especially if you are using it on a regular basis and in all weathers. Who has time (or inclination) to take a jetwash to the arches after every trip? Maybe OK for a cosseted toy that is rarely used outside of sunny Sundays, I like to get my fun on a daily basis and to that end, I build my cars to endure the slings and arrows of outrageous British weather! This gets a big
from me!
On the subject of the strut turrets, I can't recall EVER having found one that's gone rusty, or EVER finding one full of mud and cr*p! Even on the white 1500 i've just broken which has one of the most appallingly rotten and badly bodged shells i've ever seen, the strut towers are fine (about the only bit that is!)
Steve
PS, I just happen to have a 9-3 in my yard for breaking, serendipity rules!