What's a comfortable model a speed?

[iverson]

My uncle loves to go out in the a but when I get up over 40 he all ways says slow down! these things aren't made to go this fast! The speed limit was 35 when they made these cars! I feel 40 is a safe speed anything faster is pushing it at least with the gear ratio we have just curious what speed you guys run

[RonC]

Properly maintained As purr at 40-45

[lindy williams]

I second Ron C's opinion.

[Brian in Wheeling]

I can, and usually do 45 to 50. it will do more, but begins to sound "busy" after that. Most of the time, I'm below 45. A lot depends upon the condition of your engine and your timing adjustment.
Brian W.

[tinkirk]

Originally Posted by iverson

My uncle loves to go out in the a but when I get up over 40 he all ways says slow down! these things aren't made to go this fast! The speed limit was 35 when they made these cars! I feel 40 is a safe speed anything faster is pushing it at least with the gear ratio we have just curious what speed you guys run

I would say where do you feel save?
When your uncle's with you and he feels safe at 35-40 then thats where i would run as much as it hurts
I usually run around 50 nice comfortable speed to stay out of people 's way


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JDupuis]

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I average just above the 40 range. Jeff

[Kurt in NJ]

If I try to stay at 45 I end up over 50----most places I just drive with traffic, but sometimes traffic is slow and I have to pass a few cars

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by iverson

My uncle loves to go out in the a but when I get up over 40 he all ways says slow down! these things aren't made to go this fast! The speed limit was 35 when they made these cars! I feel 40 is a safe speed anything faster is pushing it at least with the gear ratio we have just curious what speed you guys run

I run mine at 55 as that is where it feels comfortable. A lot of the Model-As that we do are comfortable at that speed. On the other hand, some Model-As are only marginally safe at 40 mph, and are better suited at 35. The question I would ask your uncle is, why did Ford have a speedometer that would register 60 mph if the car was only good for 45 mph when new?

[ericr]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

I run mine at 55 as that is where it feels comfortable. A lot of the Model-As that we do are comfortable at that speed. On the other hand, some Model-As are only marginally safe at 40 mph, and are better suited at 35. The question I would ask your uncle is, why did Ford have a speedometer that would register 60 mph if the car was only good for 45 mph when new?

was the speedometer maybe more a less a stock design for various cars, including cars with more horsepower and higher speed?

[Dick Steinkamp]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

The question I would ask your uncle is, why did Ford have a speedometer that would register 60 mph if the car was only good for 45 mph when new?

You mean any car should be able to go as fast as the highest number on the speedometer

[captndan]

There is no right or wrong answer. Every car is different. Every driver is different. Don't listen to someone else in the car. Listen to the car itself. The car will tell you where it's sweet spot is if you listen. Drive that sweet spot.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by captndan

There is no right or wrong answer. Every car is different. Every driver is different. Don't listen to someone else in the car. Listen to the car itself. The car will tell you where it's sweet spot is if you listen. Drive that sweet spot.

Gee, if I listened to my car, I'd have to park it.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Dick Steinkamp

You mean any car should be able to go as fast as the highest number on the speedometer

That's AWESOME! That means my '55 Ford Ranchwagon will go 150 mph

[captndan]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

That's AWESOME! That means my '55 Ford Ranchwagon will go 150 mph

You're not going anywhere. Out of gas, engine overheating, generator about to go. Does the lighter work?

[Cool Hand Lurker]

Originally Posted by captndan

You're not going anywhere. Out of gas, engine overheating, generator about to go. Does the lighter work?

Finally, someone who judges things by more than just the speedometer!

Good catch!

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by captndan

You're not going anywhere. Out of gas, engine overheating, generator about to go. Does the lighter work?

Haha, good one CaptDan. On the '55 when you shut off the switch the gas gauge goes to M/T and the Temp goes HOT. My "Electrical Outlet" (Lighter) works just fine, Thank You!

[Jeff/Illinois]

Originally Posted by Dick Steinkamp

You mean any car should be able to go as fast as the highest number on the speedometer

And my wife's new Ford Escape has a 160 MPH speedo. Yeah, right

I'd say all that is is a marketing gimmick

However as a Ford Parts Mgr. in the 70's I recall a retired 67 Ford Galaxie cop car came in the shop and IT had a 140 MPH speedo from the factory. With the Police Interceptor 428 I could see that.

[SeaSlugs]

Originally Posted by Jeff/Illinois

And my wife's new Ford Escape has a 160 MPH speedo. Yeah, right

I'd say all that is is a marketing gimmick

However as a Ford Parts Mgr. in the 70's I recall a retired 67 Ford Galaxie cop car came in the shop and IT had a 140 MPH speedo from the factory. With the Police Interceptor 428 I could see that.

yea my s10 and blazer have 120mph spedometers - governed at 96mph due to tire type...

My old 1980 chevette has an 85 mph speedometer - and yea you can actually bury the needle past that (90? 95?) gets rather buzzy from everywhere and screamin...

[Kevin in NJ]

Ahh what speed limit?

Most places did not have any such thing.

The Model A was designed to run 60 MPH. You will find it in the ads and in the service letters.

Properly restored the A is very comfortable at 60 -65, no it does not sound like it is beating itself to death. Yes, it holds the road nice and will stop as well as the thin tires allow.

Today we hear of the 45 MPH limit. That is not true, but a sign of not knowing how to properly restore the car back to factory tolerances. Ford precision made much of the mechanicals and you need to work hard to restore them to factory.

I see a lot of cars that the owners say 45 is the upper limit. Quite frankly, after a quick visual inspection, I can see enough problems to say 45 is likely not a safe speed.
If the car does not have shocks and can be held on the road then you know the springs are shot, or at least not well lubricated. When you see the front brake lever straight up and down you know the brakes have issues. Looking at the engine and a shake of the steering wheel finish out the inspection.

I can tell you after decades of being around A's, 65 MPH is no problem all day long for an A that is fairly stock. A used B cam being the furthest from stock.

If you take the time to read the history of how the car was used through time you will find many stories of running the car fast and hard on very long trips.

The Model A can take a beating and be run hard for a very long time when it is built right. You no not need to baby the car.

That being said. A car that runs 60 no problem is an absolute dream to drive at 45 taking in the sights. A properly rebuilt car just always runs and unlikely to to give you any problems on the road.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Kevin in NJ

The Model A was designed to run 60 MPH. You will find it in the ads and in the service letters.

Properly restored the A is very comfortable at 60 -65...

Our Town Sedan may be comfortable at 60 -65, me and my wife, not so much. 40-45mph is much closer to our comfort zone.

Probably has something to do with the fact that other drivers around here don't seem to know what a STOP sign is for.