Long-term predictors of good physical functionality are examined in a representative sample of people living in Alameda County, CA. The group of people studied were born between 1895 and 1919; survivors were aged 65 to 89 at the time of follow-up. A scale of physical functionality was developed; subjects were examined in 1965 and 1984. People scoring in the top 20 percent were compared with the rest of the group. After age and physical functionality at the beginning of the study were taken into account, the following variables were found to be associated with better functionality at follow-up: non-black race, higher family income, no high blood pressure, no arthritis, no back pain, no smoking, normal weight, and moderate alcohol consumption. Gender did not predict good functionality because while men had a greater likelihood of good functionality, women survived longer on average.