I remember one of the BA drivers telling me he was taking his retirement (as were quite a few other people at BA) when the 1-11 fleet at Manchester was being wound down.
I'd been sent out to collect him from home and we had a good old chat on the way up to the airport (the BA one-eleven drivers were a friendly old bunch!). He genuinely loved that plane, and mentioned that corrosion and fatigue were practically unknown on the G-AVM* frames right up until the last day.
It's an old chestnut in aviation as it's been suggested for many types, but apparently there was some genuine agitation at the time for a serious punt at re-engining the 1-11 due to the longevity of the aircraft. Weight considerations and the rest must have been against it, as well as the balancing problems new motors would cause.