Average speed

I always found that on a long trip at 60 mph it would average out to 50 mph. With a Model A at 35 mph I suspect it would average out at 20-25 mph.
Your mileage may vary.
 
It's after 10, so today's rumor model a pickups are twice as fast as the other bod styles!
Thanks
Dick
 
Depends. Average, as Katy pointed out, is always less than what you drive at. If I am on Interstate 40 I will drive at pretty much the speed limit, which varies from 65 to 55 here in my area. I have the Mitchell overdrive and an engine with good torque and power. I get passed a lot as most people drive between 70 and 80. The 4 lane highways are good for driving slower than the traffic as people can pass you easily. On highways with a speed limit of 70 mph, I will drive at 65.

When driving on the back roads, which I prefer, I will go between 45 and 55. If I get a line of traffic behind me or some bumper jumper I will pull over in a turnout.
 
I drive at at what is comfortable to me, 50 to 55. Speed limits here varry; 55 or 65. There are frequent "Passing / Truck" lanes and/or pullouts so as not to impede traffic. State law says that 5 cars backed up behind you is the max. The infrequent guy that just has to get around you just because you are an old car usually ends up right beside you at the frist stop light at the next town anyway.
 
7.5 to 1 original Winfield, high lift B cam,FSI distributor, Holley 94 (single) reds header, horn harmonic balancer, Mitchell OD with a 3.78….I don’t hold up traffic, I am traffic 😀 I can cruise at 70 but choose 60…
 
It really depends on your car, and if you have an overdrive. I also have a Mitchell and find 60 mph is very comfortable on the interstate or freeway.
 
On my trip she likes about 50-52 and I don’t have an OD. Hills in California and Oregon I was down to 40/45, flats 55 max. I prefer back roads but I have be at my new by Friday so am forced onto the freeway.
 
It just depends on road, traffic, weather, time of day/night, moon phase, never over the speed limit well 80% of the time
 
Big hammer said:
It just depends on road, traffic, weather, time of day/night, moon phase, never over the speed limit well 80% of the time
Click to expand...

I like that ! Believe it or not I was pulled over about 30 years ago because I was doing 5 over the speed limit in the tudor. I think the cop wanted to put his foot on the Runningboard . No ticket , just harassment .
The overdrive sure helps. You guys who are thinking about them should pull the trigger sometime. We take it for granted suppliers like Mitchell may be around forever but it may not be so .
Larry
 
Hello, my 31 doesn’t have the overdrive so usually at drive it at about 45 mph seems comfortable at that speed. I also pull over for faster traffic, some of the side roads in Pennsylvania are only 35 or 45 but everyone likes 50 or 60 better.Only go to shows about an hour from home and they are mostly not near interstate highways. State highway speed limit is 55 maximum.
 
In the old days our local Model A touring club was supposedly driving around 45. Seemed like a good speed to drive to make the motor smooth out and run like a Singer Sewing Machine.

When some people started getting Garmin GPSs, we found out we were actually driving 50 mph. We all had inaccurate speedos or we never paid attention and just followed the Model A in front of you. :). Lots of the club members didn’t think their As could even drive that fast. :eek:
 
When driving the roadster I find that I don't even WANT to go faster than 50. You have trouble hearing the passenger at 55 mph when the top is down. :P


45 mph seems like the sweet spot for mine. At that speed if you just cruise along without accelerating the engine runs smooth (for a 90+ y/o engine) and it feels like it could run all day at that speed.
With an OD I guess 55 to 60 would be no problem, apart from stopping fast enough.


Averga speed on a tour I guess would be a anywhere round 25 - 35 mph? But again that depends on where you're driving.
 
I know I am the exception but I am 100% stock on all my cars. My normal speed is 45 mph. It will go faster but I’m in no hurry. If I was I’d use my regular car.
 
I have an early ’28 open cab pickup and a later ’28 roadster. I seldom go over 45 with them and never over 50. Back in the 1950’s I had another ’28 roadster. It was completely original except that it had 18-inch wheels. I tried to see how fast it would go and it threw a rod through the oil pan and took off a hunk of the block.
 
I feel safe at 50-55 give or take actual MPH. that's with an app on the hand held computer. my speedo reads faster than the phone. I also went through the front end complete last year so everything is tight. I usually cruise at 45. don't forget in most tours you'll only travel as fast as your slowest car in the group.
 
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