The Ford Barn

Mike V. Florida · 09-11-2017, 11:41 PM

All depends on how well your car is built. The closer to original specifications the ENTIRE car is restored the faster you can go.

abachman3 · 09-12-2017, 10:34 AM

I drive several 'hundred' mile trips each summer in my '30 Tudor. The engine is babet and I have a high compression head. I am comfortable at highway speeds of 50-55 MPH for up to an hour at a time. Then I just take a break and walk around and do it again.

Sunnybrook Farm · 09-12-2017, 11:08 AM

When I was learning to drive my first A, there was a few miles of the original Rt. 11 that was as it had been when retired to a secondary road in 1935 .It was so narrow that when meeting another car I would have to slow down and put the car on the edge of the road. Anyway the road was full of curves and little hills and dips but the car ran so smooth and easy on that road at 35-45 and when the car was new the state speed limit was 35mph. . The heavy flywheel of my stock 29 just kept it running easy with hardly ever having to use the brakes, it seemed to be made for that road. On the new road it would go 55 with more effort on the car and driver and would go faster but the front end felt light. Things would have been different in country where the road was straight and flat but in the hills of VA it was a good fit at 35-45.

Curly · 09-12-2017, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patrick L.

A regular unmodified 'A' is a 40-45 mph vehicle.

Some will argue that statement though, but, most will agree.

48 mph. I get great mileage and my engine lasts many many miles. Its not just about how fast it will go, its also about how fast it will stop and perform an evasive action if needed.

Russ B · 09-13-2017, 08:00 PM

Mine is comfortable at 50-55 mph average for a couple hundred miles of freeway driving. Touring style motor, OD, hydraulic brakes, and 15" bias plys. To me, "comfortable" is a function of mechanical condition, road condition and interior comfort; and who knows what else. Mine is a '29 cabriolet, modified by me, for me.

1929 · 09-13-2017, 09:18 PM

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The majority here I would say are happy staying in the 50s, I tend to stay there too, I don't feel any need to go faster, and if I do, I make sure that other cars are a distance from me for safety reasons.

09-11-2017, 11:41 PM	#21
Mike V. Florida Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: South Florida Posts: 14,054	Re: road speed question All depends on how well your car is built. The closer to original specifications the ENTIRE car is restored the faster you can go. __________________ What's right about America is that although we have a mess of problems, we have great capacity - intellect and resources - to do some thing about them. - Henry Ford II

09-12-2017, 10:34 AM	#22
abachman3 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Western Springs, IL Posts: 324	Re: road speed question I drive several 'hundred' mile trips each summer in my '30 Tudor. The engine is babet and I have a high compression head. I am comfortable at highway speeds of 50-55 MPH for up to an hour at a time. Then I just take a break and walk around and do it again.

09-12-2017, 11:08 AM	#23
Sunnybrook Farm Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Virginia Posts: 409	Re: road speed question When I was learning to drive my first A, there was a few miles of the original Rt. 11 that was as it had been when retired to a secondary road in 1935 .It was so narrow that when meeting another car I would have to slow down and put the car on the edge of the road. Anyway the road was full of curves and little hills and dips but the car ran so smooth and easy on that road at 35-45 and when the car was new the state speed limit was 35mph. . The heavy flywheel of my stock 29 just kept it running easy with hardly ever having to use the brakes, it seemed to be made for that road. On the new road it would go 55 with more effort on the car and driver and would go faster but the front end felt light. Things would have been different in country where the road was straight and flat but in the hills of VA it was a good fit at 35-45.

09-13-2017, 08:00 PM	#25
Russ B Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Millbrae, CA Posts: 504	Re: road speed question Mine is comfortable at 50-55 mph average for a couple hundred miles of freeway driving. Touring style motor, OD, hydraulic brakes, and 15" bias plys. To me, "comfortable" is a function of mechanical condition, road condition and interior comfort; and who knows what else. Mine is a '29 cabriolet, modified by me, for me.

09-13-2017, 09:18 PM	#26
1929 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: New York Posts: 943	Re: road speed question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) The majority here I would say are happy staying in the 50s, I tend to stay there too, I don't feel any need to go faster, and if I do, I make sure that other cars are a distance from me for safety reasons.