What's a comfortable model a speed?

[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

[H. L. Chauvin]

I think Papa Nick could charge a little extra for installing up to 100 MPH decals on Model A speedometers .... after all, if additional speedometer numbers can increase speed, they are less expensive that high compression heads and higher lift cams.

[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.

[Big hammer]

All good answers so far...........The real answer is how big are your
I'v been to 65-70 on fresh new asphalt and no traffic, until the noise sitting next to me said slow it down. 50- 55 and no noise from the seat next to me :-)

[CarlG]

In a group we typically go 50 - 55. Solo I tend to go closer to 60. I do have a warmed up engine, OD tranny, and 550R19 tires.

[kenb43]

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My dad (if he was alive would be 102) was kind of a car guy and said that the rule of thumb for our kind of engines was that cruising speed was 3/4 of top speed. Top speed on my '31 ccpu is about 60mph, so cruising at 45 would be ideal. Having had my truck for nearly 50 yrs, I can say that 40-45 mph is just perfect.

[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...

[Mike V. Florida]

What's a comfortable model a speed?

Comfortable to who? Each driver has his/her level of comfort depending on how close the car was restored to original.

[Dodge]

Ask Steve Nelson. He went 201.78 MPH at Bonneville. Although it was a Model B motor so it might not count.

[H. L. Chauvin]

Test:

Anybody ever witness a young steel worker casually walking on a 2" wide steel framing channel located at the top of, and on the edge of a (50) story building, during a thunder storm, with lightning and wind gust up to 45 mph.

To obtain a true answer as to "What's a comfortable Model A Speed?", just get in your Model A passenger seat, ask him to drive your Model A, and allow him to demonstrate a safe and proper comfortable Model A Speed ....

Everyone will be eager to learn the true Model A Comfort Zone Speed.

[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!

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

So let me get this straight, ...some here feel like the limiting factor of why we shouldn't be driving over 45 is the ability to stop the car, yet some are saying if you have an overdrive transmission, it is ok to drive over 45 mph.

Next some are suggesting that because the majority of the roads back then were meant for driving slower than the Model-A was capable of, then we should base our speeds today on the speeds they were driven back then. Geez, that seems logical!

In reading most of this, it would appear the underlying synopsis in this is most of the Model-As that are touted as being 'Restored' are really more likely just cars that were 'Repaired & Repainted' instead of truly being restored. From my experiences, those type cars are the ones that feel unsafe over 45mph. Nothing wrong with owning that type of car, but we all need to honest in our assessment of our vehicle and then drive it accordingly. Suggesting someone else's vehicle is unsafe to drive over 45 just because yours is in my view is ludicrous.

.
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[Benson]

Sorry did not mean to start trouble !!

[springerpete]

I'm sure it has already been said: slow enough to both enjoy the scenery and wave at the folks A N D be able to stop for a child, bike or animal.

[H. L. Chauvin]

How about "What's a comfortable "Modern" car speed?

How about "What's a comfortable speed for "new" cars today ...... on different Interstates ..... on different back roads ....... through wooded areas loaded with deer crossings ...... through rural areas with houses, bars, and driveways on both sides ..... through different cities?

How about what are comfortable speeds in "all" vintage and modern cars for seniors vs. teenagers?

Individual common sense, defensive driving methods, and especially a strong desire for safety and self preservation will always determine what's a comfortable speed ........ no matter what one is driving.

[30ccpickup]

I can solve the dabate, just let my wife ride with you in the passenger seat. (Just FYI, whatever speed you do it will be wrong.)

[DougVieyra]

Anyone who drives a car - any car - soon 'learns' to hear the 'conversation' that the car's engine is speaking. Also too, one soon learns to hear the 'conversation' that the car's body is speaking.

After awhile we begin to understand the conversation that both the car's engine and the car's body are saying. The Ford Model A is no exception.

Listening to the Model A engine conversation and UNDERSTANDING it, along with listening to the Model A's Body Conversation, when the two are combined, will give the driver a very good 'sense' of what that particular Model A's 'Comfort Zone' is. That 'Comfort Zone' will differ from car to car, depending on a host of variables. Thus the 'comfortable speed' of a Model A has no definitive number that will fit all cars.

Just drive your Model A and begin to learn the 'language' of the car. The trick is to learn the language before you begin any serious 'conversation'. There is no specific answer on how to do that. It really just takes time and driving experience. When you learn the 'language' of your Model A, you will know if its 'Comfort Zone' is 45 mph, 50 mph, 55 mph, etc.

Of course, if you are old enough to have developed poor hearing, you will be in trouble. Like much of what we older folks have to do - get a someone else who is more skilled and familiar with the 'language' to 'calibrate' your car's 'comfort zone'.

[old31]

50-55 MPH for me, and that speed is double checked with my iphone GPS.