. I drove my 1938 Canopy around 40 miles to a truck show yesterday. It took me about an hour due to traffic. A 1917 GMC parked next to me with a functioning Calliope on back. He drove around 14 miles. It took him a little over an hour to get there. While admiring his ride I glanced at the top speed posted on his ID plate. "Twelve MPH. Over speeding will void warranty." I realize how cushy 20 years of progress made. Think of this when trailering your 1990 truck to a show cuz it's "old".
Lou .

The 1917, compared to "horse powered", was a big advancement.......

I am amazed when you look at the improvements in vehicles over longer time periods. Lou’s comment about 20 years of development is right on target. Sometimes 10 years shows a real difference.

I cannot believe the difference in performance between my friend’s 1929 Model A and my ”˜37 Master Coupe. I now also own a mid 50’s car and cannot believe the improvements in it compared to the ”˜37. Another friend has a ”˜70 Monte Carlo. Once again, what a difference compared to my 50’s car.

I'm always amused when someone thinks they have to change the driveline in an old vehicle to make it "safe", or so they can drive it "anywhere they want". Most of them never go any distance in the cars after they have made the modifications. Even most devoted street rodders never range very far from home.
Old cars are fun BECAUSE they go slower and take more time to get where you are going. More time to enjoy the ride, smell, sound, and approving waves of the folks along the way.
I like driving my 1926 Model T Ford. But the improvement in just 9 and 10 years to my '35 Chevy Coupe and '36 Chevy truck, is astounding. The Model T, of course, was already out of date when it was built.

Mike

This is exactly also why I enjoy driving my old cars, and the challenge of getting a gear shift up/down perfectly right with out a sound in a unsynchronized gearbox.
I have a British made truck from 1944, which tops out at 21mph, its a joy to drive, and I just plan with a bit longer traveling time.