Stopped by a cop for not speeding

[700rpm]

This is just a warning tale for those traveling through Washington on their way to Puyallup for the National:

I got stopped by a Washougal cop on the way home from yesterday's tour for going too slow (35 mph) on what he called a freeway (55 mph speed limit). Since this car has a new engine with less than 300 miles on it, pushing it over 35 before at least 500 miles seems risky and was not recommended by the rebuilder. The highway was actually State Route 14, which apparently turns into a freeway about 1.5 miles back from where I was stopped, but there was no sign saying so. But I didn’t argue with him (never does any good to argue with a traffic cop), and he didn’t ticket me. Just warned me to be safe, whatever that might mean to him. I don't like driving on freeways, and avoid them when at all possible, but this particular area doesn't have many options for avoiding that stretch of highway. I told him I was being safe, and I knew the law about delaying five cars and having to pull over, and I had been doing that, and that I’d been driving these cars for over 50 years (probably 20 years longer than he’s been alive, but I didn’t point that out to him), so I was aware of the safety issues and laws. Washougal cops have been difficult in the past regarding Model A’s going through their patch. I guess I’ll have to watch it closer. Beware of small town cops with little to do.

[Pete]

Over the past 50 years while driving hot rods in Washington, I have been stopped by the state patrol 3 times and the first thing they said was, do you have a few minutes so I can look at your car, I have a hot rod also?

[azmodela]

Why is anything over 35 mph pushing it? Do you drive your modern cars like that for the first 500 miles? These things have been around for over 80 years now, you're not going to kill it by doing 45-50 mph.

And, I'd have to side with the cop on this one. 35 mph in a 55 mph zone is dangerous! He may of saved your life or car by pulling you over.

[newshirt]

I do something else illegal and dangerous: I drive on the shoulder to let cars pass.

I'm sure I'll get a ticket eventually. As I should.

The Colorado Front Range has become "Little LA" and you can't get anywhere without holding up ten cars. So I ease onto the shoulder and wave motorists around. About half take the bait. Others will not pass, even in passing zones.

[J Franklin]

Check the laws and see if it was truly a freeway with a minimum limit and if you were cited improperly I would appear and contest it. You should have been given a warning and escorted off the freeway if it was not posted. With about 300 miles on your engine you should be able to drive faster than 35 for moderate stretches without any harm.

[Mitch//pa]

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where did he say he was cited ?

[SDJason]

35 in a 55 zone?
That just sounds like an accident waiting to happen...

[Fred]

@ 35 MPH You will get run over any where !!..

[SeaSlugs]

i have asked my local state police (district headquarters is about 2 miles away from me) about adding strobing/flashing amber lights to the back of my AA. Crusing speed of 35-40 and you cant get anywhere around me without having to be on a highway.

They pulled out the huge vehicle code book and i told them as IL law states legally i only have to restore the truck to how it left the factory - meaning one brake and one taillight. I told him i plan to add a passenger side tail/brake light and said i know you know noone goes 55 out here so can i add flashing/strobing amber lights to make myself more visible to not cause an accident.

Anyways it says in black and white only snowplows, maintenance trucks, service trucks, and mail carriers are allowed to use strobing amber lights. He said in my case it would be far more unsafe for me to NOT have them that he said him and his fellow officers wouldn't pull me over for it but it is technically illegal.

[C26Pinelake]

Kudos to the police officer for exercising discretion. He could have ticketed you for dangerous driving. I have done it many times and stayed to the right until I could find an alternative road.
Wayne
P.s. I would have also driven the new rebuilt engine like you did. In my mind you can't compare it to a new car.

[tbirdtbird]

time for a Mitchell

[J Franklin]

A minimum limit on Oregon freeways is 45MPH and the maximum is 65, same difference. It would not be legally considered dangerous driving as the other driver has the responsibility to keep his driving in a safe manner. Speeders don't like this but it is the law.

[Patrick L.]

I can't really see how going 35 in a 55 is dangerous. Happens all the time in this neck of the woods, and not by Model As.
It may be a PITA to have to follow someone doing that, but, its not illegal here.

[George Miller]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

This is just a warning tale for those traveling through Washington on their way to Puyallup for the National:

I got stopped by a Washougal cop on the way home from yesterday's tour for going too slow (35 mph) on what he called a freeway (55 mph speed limit). Since this car has a new engine with less than 300 miles on it, pushing it over 35 before at least 500 miles seems risky and was not recommended by the rebuilder. The highway was actually State Route 14, which apparently turns into a freeway about 1.5 miles back from where I was stopped, but there was no sign saying so. But I didn’t argue with him (never does any good to argue with a traffic cop), and he didn’t ticket me. Just warned me to be safe, whatever that might mean to him. I don't like driving on freeways, and avoid them when at all possible, but this particular area doesn't have many options for avoiding that stretch of highway. I told him I was being safe, and I knew the law about delaying five cars and having to pull over, and I had been doing that, and that I’d been driving these cars for over 50 years (probably 20 years longer than he’s been alive, but I didn’t point that out to him), so I was aware of the safety issues and laws. Washougal cops have been difficult in the past regarding Model A’s going through their patch. I guess I’ll have to watch it closer. Beware of small town cops with little to do.

You are doing the right thing by breaking it in slow. This is not a new car engine with pressure oiling, full length water jackets, cam ground pistons and short stroke engine and inserts. Your engine builder will like it.

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by 700rpm

This is just a warning tale for those traveling through Washington on their way to Puyallup for the National:

I got stopped by a Washougal cop on the way home from yesterday's tour for going too slow (35 mph) on what he called a freeway (55 mph speed limit). Since this car has a new engine with less than 300 miles on it, pushing it over 35 before at least 500 miles seems risky and was not recommended by the rebuilder. The highway was actually State Route 14, which apparently turns into a freeway about 1.5 miles back from where I was stopped, but there was no sign saying so. But I didn’t argue with him (never does any good to argue with a traffic cop), and he didn’t ticket me. Just warned me to be safe, whatever that might mean to him. I don't like driving on freeways, and avoid them when at all possible, but this particular area doesn't have many options for avoiding that stretch of highway. I told him I was being safe, and I knew the law about delaying five cars and having to pull over, and I had been doing that, and that I’d been driving these cars for over 50 years (probably 20 years longer than he’s been alive, but I didn’t point that out to him), so I was aware of the safety issues and laws. Washougal cops have been difficult in the past regarding Model A’s going through their patch. I guess I’ll have to watch it closer. Beware of small town cops with little to do.

Funny!
I remember seeing a movie where a cop on a motorcyle could not catch the speeding cars so he finally stop a 90 year old man in a model A and gave him a ticket.

This is something you will always have to tell people and you will all have a good laugh! Feel fortunate!

[Duffy1]

I guess getting behind you and escorting you down the road until you could get on a safer hwy is not in his job description do to the fact that he might get rear ended.

[Mitch//pa]

ray were you wearing your mitchs auto t shirt? that could be why you didnt get a ticket

[FrankWest]

Originally Posted by FrankWest

Funny!
I remember seeing a movie where a cop on a motorcyle could not catch the speeding cars so he finally stop a 90 year old man in a model A and gave him a ticket.
The movie is "Sex and the single girl" with tony Curtis
This is something you will always have to tell people and you will all have a good laugh! Feel fortunate!

The movie is funny especially the chase sequence near the end.

[700rpm]

Originally Posted by Mitch//pa

ray were you wearing your mitchs auto t shirt? that could be why you didnt get a ticket

Ha! Funny you should ask, Mitch! I was with my 17-year-old grandson, who claimed that shirt as soon as he saw it, and he was wearing it!

[Al 29Tudor]

The two accidents I heard of within the last six months involving model A's were rear-end accidents. One driver lived and one died.
Not everything legal is prudent!