VCCA Home Forums GENERAL DISCUSSION General Discussions 1931 independence cruising speed

I’m thinking of taking the 31 out of tour Wednesday. It was my dads car before he died. It has been moved about the yard for the last two years. But not really driven. I’ve driving it some and I did an oil change. After a clean up and a jot about town I’ve been thinking it might be fun to bring it on tour. What’s the cruising speed for a car like this? I own many other car but not like this one. I have Packards and a Pierce Arrow and a Cadillac. But this one is fun and cute. Any advice would be appreciated.

45 MPH FOR WHAT i WOULD CALL STILL A STRANGE CAR.
Questional iires and brakres and cooling system and steering.

All seem to be perfect.

The like to run in the 40-45 mph range on tours or leisurely outings. Occasionally in the 50 - 55 mph range if the roads are good, traffic dictates and the BOSS doesn't have a fit. I have driven several 1931s for up to 50 miles at 55 mph without incidents.

I agree 100% with exactly what chipper posted. In fact, did that very thing today. I drove my 32 olds with my wife in the passenger side and my buddy and his wife drove my 31 chevy. My 31 does have a recent rebuild that is also balanced. On the highway I’ll do 50-55 and just keep an eye on the gauges. My olds on the other hand with a fresh balanced flat head motor that’s fully oil pressurized easily does 50-55 and will go faster with no effort. Of course i don’t go faster but i actually have to keep my foot out of it to prevent it from going fast. The more I drive both my cars the more I realize the advice many give saying 25-40 mph, nothing faster, can’t be based much on real experience or ownership especially on today’s roads. These old cars are pretty remarkable and were designed to drive. Today most people treat their old car like one of their spoiled and entitled kids, afraid to ask them for much. Drive your car but learn its characteristics and its limitations. Learn what effort it takes to drive, shift, and stop it including panic stopping it, Always keep it mechanically sound paying attention to your gauges while driving, and physically check your car before each drive much like a pilot of a small aircraft checks his plane before flight. Our old cars were designed and built in the era of time where man was supposed to have a lot of interaction with them. Today is no different.

Great topic. Anyone know the formula for RPM given the standard 4.75-5.00 tire, 4:11 rear, and 55 MPH?

Thanks

Dave

This is for a 28 but the tire size is the same. I don't see what the rear end gear ratio is. If I'm reading it correctly it looks to be about 2600 RPM at 55.

http://chevy.oldcarmanualproject.com/chevyresto/2819.htm

Thanks Tiny!

The 1928 had two ratios if I remember correctly. The early models a 3.82 and late 4.11. The 1929 had a 3.82 and 1930 and up 4.11.

From GM proving ground report the 1931 was torning 1713 RPM at 35 MPH AND 2934 at 60 MPH.
That number applies closely to 1936 and prior as the wheel diameter decreased the tire out side diamter stayed almost the same.
That would be about 2435 RPM at 50 MPh from my calculations.

The 1931 had a proving ground top speed of 0f 61.1 MPH - which would be with and aginst the wind and a 4 passenge load and a 2 door model.

Dave, note that the chart is for a truck.............

Thanks Gene, good info

Dave

I agree that these cars will comfortably run that fast if in good mechanical condition, but I would add a word of caution: While the Chevy braking system in the '30-'32 cars is excellent (and much better than the Model A Ford's), it is still a mechanical system, drum brakes, and prone to unpredictability in a panic stop. I've made a couple such stops over the years, all of which ended safely. But each of them was not totally controlled.

My conclusion: Yes, they will go that fast. No, they won't always do a panic stop from that speed in a way that you'd hope for. I keep mine down to about 45 mph or below and leave as much stopping room as possible.

All the Best, Chip