Driving Speed

I just got my first Model A, a '30 Coupe, on the road this past weekend. Admittedly, I'm still getting used to driving it, but I felt like 45 was a genuine accomplishment. I'm sure it will get better as I eliminate more rattles and squeaks.

I know I'm not, but I still feel like I'm going to roll over around tight corners.
 
For two years, during his first two years in seminary, my dad drove his Model A 500 miles in 12 hours every two weeks from Philadelphia to visit his fiance in Millersport, Ohio. A big part of that was on the PA Turnpike, but I believe that even the Ohio stretch was paved. Here he is doing some maintenance somewhere in the boonies in 1939; the road looks paved. I notice, among other things, he modernized his wheels/tires.

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And, here's the incentive package.

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On our 40th anniversary, my wife and I re-visited our Honeymoon route leaving NEW Ohio and drove to the Oklahoma Indian Territory in our 1958 VW California Style DuneBuggy. We drove it much the same way I do our Model A. Backroads and at 45 mph. The trip was mostly on Rt 66 (the Mother Road) and the biggest problem was the heat. The coldest day was 95+. It got up to 104 in Oklahoma.

It is possible to utilize the Backroads most of the way. (except for crossing the Missippy River). We stayed right on rt 66 even in the areas where it is made of Brick and has weeds growing between the bricks. Trip took 9 days and totaled 2,200 miles.

And folks said "it couldn't be done". Next I want to try it in the Model A.......:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p:p Maybe on our 51st anniversary.....
 

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We have driven over 50,000 in 12 years and we find the comfortable speed is 45-50 (on my speedometer) and is easy on man and machine, enjoy every mile.....
Gord. B by the bay
 
steve s said:
For two years, during his first two years in seminary, my dad drove his Model A 500 miles in 12 hours every two weeks from Philadelphia to visit his fiance in Millersport, Ohio. A big part of that was on the PA Turnpike, but I believe that even the Ohio stretch was paved. Here he is doing some maintenance somewhere in the boonies in 1939; the road looks paved. I notice, among other things, he modernized his wheels/tires.

scan0026.jpg


And, here's the incentive package.

scan0025.jpg
Click to expand...


Looks like Dad was adding oil from a 2-1/2 gallon can...
 
My grandfather sold A's new.The rep told them to show the customers the car could do 60 MPH with no problem.good for passing,showing off,being in a hurry,but 45-50 was safe for a sustained speed.I don't know of any car that is meant to run flat out at its top speed day in day out.His only car he ever bought new was a 31 Phaeton,(he called it a touring car).That car would run at 72 MPH.He made it until 1933 before it needed an overhaul.He pretty much had to drive 20-25 miles to get to a road that you could get up to 50 on anyway.He was happy that he had a car that went nearly 15000 miles before it needed an overhaul.We may think that is no miles,but a 1928 automotive trade journal I have says the life expectancy of a car in 1928 was 28000 miles with only 3 or 4 overhauls.
 
Keith, your post is fabulous because you're sharing with us first hand information about Model A performance. This is priceless. I will comment that there are indeed cars designed to be run flat-out: look at the owner's manual for 1960's VW Beetles. They say something to the effect of "Max speed 63 mph. Cruising speed 63 mph". I may have the value off, but the point is that the max speed and cruising speed were the same.
 
If your car feels like its rattling apart at 45 she needs some work. I just took out a slatwindow cabriolet this morning, after the work I did I could drive it around our backwoods at 50mph with 2 fingers on the wheel
 
Ours runs best between 40-45, I would think back in the day on a dirt road that would be pretty fast and you would bounce all over the place, if your in a hurry I would take the other car or leave a bit early, I just like to sit back, relax, and enjoy our Model 'A':):D
 
It's always a question of "How fast will she go". My stock answer is I have had it up to 60 but I think I could make it to California at 45. 40-45 seems to be the sweet spot.
 
Hay fellas I just took my Dads 29 CCpickup to Crusin the coast its 75 miles one way My dad followed me and said I was doing 55 the hole way there. Let the car rest for the night at the camp ground went to fill up the next morning and only had to put 4 galllons of gas in it. thats 18.75 miles to the gallon kiss my A Obama LOL. drove around the coast all day in bumper to bumper traffic and the truck didn't get any hotter than 195 F . the truck ran flawless.
 
Bob,
good results from that survey. but what years were those cars ?
35-40 --- 8 (9%)
40-45 --- 22 (25%)
45-50 --- 27 (31%)
50-55 --- 20 (23%)
55-60 --- 7 (8%)
60-65 --- 3 (3%)
could the lower speeds be due to drivers judgment and various limitations.
and those 55mph to 65mph running overdrives ?
 
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