VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1912-1928 What's a safe cruising speed

for the four. Driving abilities aside.

I'm concerned more about the engine.

rbl2, 40 to 42 mph seems good on the open highway, any congestion and it drops to around 30 - 35 (Brakes! you know!) my 28 it will do 55 ( with only my ample weight in the car) additional weight would probably drop the top end down to 45 and 55 is where I chose to not exceede on level ground,or to push it any faster, The old girl steers well at up to 45, it didn't when I first got it, but I increased the tire air pressure from 32 to 40 psi and changed the toe in from 1 inch toe out to 1/8" toe in.I have a lot of jingle-jangles above and below 40 mph but after many miles nothing sounds any worse than when I first drove it. It had old Nylon ALLSTATE tires all the way around and it drove good. I have begun to change over to new Garfield black walls because the old tires were old, I still think they are fit to drive on, but someone in the club convinced MrsMack that we should have a new set of tires. They would walk up and take a close look at the lettering on the tires and say "Oh! so you still have 1945 model tires!"

That answers my question quite satisfactorily. Thank you, very much.

I've had mine up to 45 for the 1/2 mile run from my drive way to the nearest back road and in that short distance it handled well. That back road is mostly gravel and very windy so I don't get up to but 35 and then only a little ways.

It sure can make some funny noises though. They all sound harmless (it'll fall apart next time I drive it now) but there is one I want to identify real bad.

Please don't ask me to describe it, I can't. All I know is it occurs between about 20 and 30 mph and comes from the passenger side. Even the passengers who ride with me can't pin point it.

If I were pressured to say where it comes from I'd say one of the wheels. One day soon I'll remove all four and see if everything is ok.

My tires are all new and all Allstate with about 100 miles on them. The spare must be original. It's dry rotted to beat all heck. It had air in it at one time but it evaporated somehow.

I'd like to get one more Allstate so I can have a complete matching set.

Again, thanks

If the Lone Star Swap meet in Grand Prairie, Texas the second week in June provides me a couple of Garfield new tires there may be a good Allstate nylon tire I could spare, We will keep in contact. By the way the spare on the car had a red rubber tube in it I patched a small hole in it and used it on a couple of tours. When I had my first flat tire I changed out the spare with a new tire tube and flap, I wish I could have kept some of the air and had it tested to see if there was an absence of any Radioactive products from fall out, that would have proved it was pre 1945 air!

that's an interesting thought.

I think it was at the AACA forum I read about a 1907 Cadillac that supposedly has been in storage since the 20's or 30's. Something like that, don't quote me. Assuming it doesn't have solid rubber tires that air might be interesting too.

In either case, I suspect radiation would go through that lil bit of rubber anyhow.

Let me know something about a tire when you can, I'd love to have a matched set.

Thanks

Actually, the gamma rays and the neutrons would pass thru the rubber iron, and out the other side without leaving any permanent particle radiation, while the Alphas and Betas (ions)would not penetrate the thickness of a tire and a tube. the St90 and other R.A. particles that found their way into the atmosphere and into the metals, plastics, wood products smelted, melted and fabricated after the first atmosphere explosions in 1945 show any particle Radiation, there fore 1945 is a bench mark date. There has been a somewhat boom in bringing up steel from the ocean floor that was smelted before 1945 to be used as 100% Radiation free standard for comparison to the new products.
Where else would you all be privy to such important trivia?... as 90 year old Yogi would say.

I often refer to similiar meanderings in my mind as "totally useless information"

I'm a civil war buff. I have more useless information on the way things were done and why, etc... like I said, totally useless information.

Not that I meant to imply your mind is meandering.

RBL2: Why Not?? It obviously is (was)!!!

Good heavens, Mack. What in the world were you talking about?!?!?!? :confused: :confused:

Bill.

He was accused of having original tires on his 28 Camaro. he thought it would be a good idea to have the air tested for pre nuclear purity

or sumfin likes that

Getting back to the subject, (sorry, boring I know compared to the rivetting radio-active dialogue that followed :>) "safe cruising speed" is a relative thing. Ralph Nader would have a different opinion to you or I. I realise your original question was more aimed at the safe mechanical cruising speed than a safe speed for the occupants, however, I love driving my '28 but I sometimes shudder at the prospect of coming unstuck in her, particularly in a rollover situation. Not such a bad thing, I guess, as it must work sub-consciously to make me a safer, more aware driver.
May it never happen, especially to any of my fellow forum contributors.
Tim.

After driving mine down that gravel road at 30 mph +/- and slidin' 'round a few curves I concluded I would have made a terrible outlaw way back when, not that I would make a good one now.

Point being, I just could not imagine driving one of those old cars at 80 mph down a dirt road, driving with one hand and shooting back with the other. Shades of Bonnie and Clyde. :eek:

Of course, if someone were shooting at me I would do whatever I had to in order to get away, including driving 80 mph down a dirt road, driving with one hand and shooting with the other.

...Point being if tyou have original air in your tires ,just maybe it might effect your cruseing speed? And how are you going to know unless you have it replaced, or tested...then there goes the whole originality thingy.....If you don't like Important Trivia information I am sure you would not like some non-important trivia information and that would explain some certain Characteristics of your personalysis! Cheers!

Also, You may not qualify for the Wacky Award for the month, right now rbl2 is in the lead, I have disqualified myself, having won the award for many months in a row.....

I'm in the lead for something!

WOW! I made a list!

What do I win? When will I get my prize?

Will I be able to drive it or do I have to spend it?

I can be whacky...watch this...

Oh, that's not what you meant.

Ok, try this... Ever try to run over a cat with those skinny tires? It's far more challenging then those wide tires on a pick up truck made today.

Have I won yet? Where's my prize?

I was just discussing this issue with a fellow I met at a local car show. He
owned a 25 Chevy sedan and he 'bragged' that he noticed when he had his car was up to between 65 and 70 mph the windshield visor on the roof started to really flap in the wind...so he had to slow down. I listened to him and felt certain that he might be stretching the truth quite a bit. His Mrs. confirmed it was quite true that the auto's visor really did flap when the wind passed by at 65 and 70 mph....but that only occured when they might be trailering it down the superhighway while in tow behind their SUV. Off the trailer 40 mph on a paved road seemed more realistic as a cruising speed (taking into account that you'd better be ready to keep twenty to thirty car lengths ahead for a safe stop!)

You are almost to the finish line, getting there is the prize!

I had the same problem with the visor at 70 mph, I solved the problem by buying an enclosed trailer! I was afraid that something else might start vibrating or even blow off.

Stopping a 28 is easy compared to a 25 since the 28 has 200% of the 25's brakeing power! (sissy brakes) I like to use the 5 second rule for following on tours I found it is easier to follow an older car than the one I am driving...also PAY ATTENTION as to what is going on outside, you don't need to play the CDs or radio. I have forgot that rule a couple of times and the spare tire and stop light on a 27 touring car looks really large when your car is still accelerating with the wheels locked!

The safe speed of my '26 model "K" is about 25 MPH. No shocks or front brakes makes a big difference when you go into corners or hit a bump in the road. The car only goes about 30 MPH on the open road. I would never dream of going over 40 MPH with it.

Well guys I read with interest at the speed that you travel. 25 - 30 mph is what we call here in Australia a speed hump which is nothing more than a hazard that you have to contend with on the road. A bigger problem for other road uses who approach you at far greater speed. Too slow and you give old cars a bad name as pest on the road.

A well tuned and maintained Chev 4 should travel at 40-45mph all day long with very little chance of damage to the engine. On open roads and freeway driving 50-55mph is obtainable but prolonged periods at this speed is asking for major maintenance proceedure unless fitted with an overdrive. 60-65mph can be reached with the overdrive fitted but you better have a plan B when it comes to stopping in a hurry.

Nothing beats crusing past a Chev 6 fat fender with a Chev 4 in full flight, the look on their faces is priceless.

When its all said and done the speed is equal to the road condtions ,traffic and weather. Its amazing how a little common sence can go along way
twin 4

Twin4 I agree, there is a big difference in driving an old Chevrolet rather than getting it from point A to point B. But each to his own devices, and styles! There is still room on the planet for everyone to have a good time and enjoy their cars in their own way.

If I can drive 40-45 for extended periods of time, I'm happy.

I agree that it's not a good idea to be a hinderance on the highways.

Being caught in rush hour traffic is definitely something I don't want to experience in that ol car. Not a good idea at all.

The recommended cruising speed depends on which Chev 4 you are driving. If an early Baby Grand or Royal Mail then 30-35 mph is it. The early to mid-20s are in the 35-40 range and the '28s are 45-50 cruisers.

rlb2, It is also likely that the big danger is someone trying to get a good look at your old car and they run over you! I do know a dually F350 diesel looks DAMN BIG in the rear view mirror chargeing down upon you!

That's my concern, being run over.

My experience with other antique cars, even those that will easily drive 55-60, is that people will pass you for whatever reason. I think it's a subconscious thing. No matter how fast you're going, they think you're going slow and absolutely have to pass you.

How true. I just returned from the AllCal Meet in Carson City Nevada. Me and a fellow club member drove our 1941s. !,500 round trip miles. Even if we drove over the speed limit they just had to pass and get in front.

The most dangerous situation is to be in the slow lane, a car comes alongside on your left. They try to match your speed for a good look. All the time they are looking they are drifting into you. Had one car run me over the white line and into the gravel before he realized he was drifting into me.

Yep, that is for sure! And since we try to stay on the feeder or local roads when a string of old Chevys go by they all gotta have a look! I like going by schools at recess and watch all the kids with those big round eyes!

you gotta luv it!

It's not at all unusual for my neighbors kids to come by and ask for a ride. I double check with the parents of course. Usually they respond with, "Not unless I get a ride too."

:cool2: