Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

[Riley Blue]

A question prompted by a couple of observations recently.

How fast do you drive when out in your classic? I aim to keep up with the traffic flow as my Riley One-Point-Five is quite capable of doing that except on motorways where I don't often venture other than to make up time if needed.

Last weekend I was driving north on the Fosse and came across a couple 70s sports cars poodling along well below the speed limit. A little later, after I had overtaken them, I came across some more at around 45-50 mph.

It was late in the afternoon, on a clear, straight road on a dry, sunny day; just the sort of conditions I enjoy - but not stuck behind slow cars. Am I the odd one out or do others 'press on' when the opportunity arises? If you don't, why not?
_________________
David

1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

[kevin2306]

I tend to go with the flow, usually on the A roads around here that is 45 - 50 mph. I try and avoid motorways but if I go on the odd bypass I keep it to 55mph.
Whilst not and 'old' old car, Cilla the Singer is an old girl now and doesnt deserve ragging round.
If im out in the Mazda I tend to go a little bit quicker

Kev

[MikeEdwards]

I try to keep with the flow of traffic on motorways and dual carriageways, but I can drop back a bit on twisty bits. The car is supposed to handle well, but I don't want to find out the hard way that mine isn't so good.

Motorways are where I get the best fuel economy, not the be-all and end-all, but worth keeping an eye on nevertheless. If I can get it above about 60mph it seems to be quieter, as well.

[Ashley]

Mine all cruise at 70+ on the motorway, so middle lane with a few hurtling past, but I do get frustrated on A roads when the traffic often barely reaches forty and keeps slowing and speeding up. I try to use country lanes and a SatNav to avoid them. Then I might reach over sixty on open straight bits, but I don't go as fast as in my modern and I try to leave lots of space in case of an emergency.

I've wired a cigarette lighter socket into all my cars so that I can plug my SatNav in and use it.

[gresham flyer]

As lorries just poodle along A roads barely above 40mph the government has set another speed limit without us realising it.

The A47 from Peterborough to Kings Lynn is an example.

We drove along this road a couple of weeks ago. There is a couple of short dual carriageway sections nr Thorney, everyone goes hell for leather trying to get past the lorries.

But what they do not realise is at the next roundabout the road is two way for about 15 miles. You are 99% sure to get behind a lorry here and have to follow it relentlessly for the next 15 miles.
You cannot overtake normally as the traffic in the opposite direction is constant, then there are white lines and other warning boxes.

There are lots of new fast A roads built in the fens that are now set at 40mph because of the amount of lorries that set the pace.

All you need is an Austin A35 to chug around in , not a tuned up Jaguar XK 150.

G.F
_________________
Austin A30 / A35 Van.
Austin Devon.
Morris Minors.
Jaguars.
Rootes Cars.
MG.
Etc.



Viking Fibreline Caravan.
Cheltenham Sable
Shorts Built Vintage Caravan 1936.

[colwyn500]

A bit like GF I find that my ancient chariot, which can barely cruise above 45mph is more than adequate on most of the roads that I use here in The Highlands. We have few dual carriageways and no motorways and of course, lots of twisty and hilly roads. Maybe that is partly why so many classic car tours head in this direction.

When I am in the way of heavy traffic on the main road I find that the car is narrow enough to pull over to straddle the inside white line and let everyone make their way past.
Simple answer to the question...45mph but that's in a 79 year old car.

[Penman]

Hi
LGV limit is 40 on an SC anyway and 50 on a DC, though I have often found that when they can many of them drive on their limiters.
Most have 56 set but a few companies are now putting 53 on their limiters.
_________________
Bristols should always come in pairs.

Any 2 from:-
Straight 6
V8 V10

[BigJohn]

I always keep up with the traffic, but over the years I have found myself constantly surprised at the number of classic British sports cars being driven like they are taking the aged, minted, spinster auntie to tea. Maybe convertible A60's aren't as good as the Most Glorious owners crack them up to be

[Phil - Nottingham]

I keep up with the traffic on all roads except with the Rover P2 and the non -overdrive S2 Landy where the 60 mph cruising speed is just too low for long periods so I go the A roads where possible
_________________
Rover P2
Rover P4
Rover P5 & P5B
Land Rover S2 & S3
Morris Mini Traveller Mk2

[ka]

I tend to drive at a speed where I able to stop in a reasonable distance from. Compared to vented discs, servos and ABS, stopping is a challenge, it is not the brakes, they are fine, but the 'grown up car' has 205/55 series tyres that give better grip than the 410x18 tyres on the Morgan.
_________________
KA

Better three than four.

[Rick]

It depends what I'm behind the wheel of.

The Volvo is happy enough cruising along at 55-60mph, and has the brakes and handling to keep that up without straining anything on the twisties. If it had an overdrive from an Amazon it'd be an even better cruiser.

The '24 Dodge mind I keep to 30-35 mph which is sufficient and doesn't tax the engine or running gear too much, which is my overriding concern with anything really old. The jolly green giant seems happiest at that kind of pace also, again with an eye on giving the motor a relatively easy time.

RJ
_________________
Rick - Admin
Home:https://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk
Videos:https://www.youtube.com/user/oldclassiccarRJ/videos
OCC & classic car merchandise (Austin, Ford ++):
https://www.redbubble.com/people/OldClassicCar/shop

[P3steve]

The P3 Rover being a 1949 car is a bit low geared and with no overdrive it all starts to get a bit frantic above 60 but at 45 to 50 all the rattles and vibrations seem to take on a sort of harmony and she could cruse all day at that speed
_________________
If the world didn't suck we'd all fall off

[roverdriver]

The open road speed limit in Victoria is 100 kph (Approx 62 mph). Any vehicle doing much less than that on a simple two lane road, will accumulate a lot of unhappy drivers behind, and some of those will try to overtake when it is not safe to do so.

I drive both our Rover P4's at close to (or slightly above) 60 mph on clear straightish roads, but of course a little slower if road or weather conditions dictate.

When I was running the Model A Ford, I kept up with modern traffic, but, like I do with the Rovers, always keep an extended gap from the cars in front. The A was quite capable of 60 mph and when road conditions allowed, that was the speed at which I drove it.
_________________
Dane- roverdriver but not a Viking.

[Rootes75]

My 47 Minx drives well at 35-40 mph but push her much further and the ride gets uncomfortable especially with all the pot holes around these days!

[PAUL BEAUMONT]

Like Rootes75 my similar aged Jowett is most comfortable at 35-40 MPH and I also attempt to circumnavigate potholes and other tramlines wherever possible as these can present a severe challenge to the direction suggesting system. It was built in an era when it was limited to 30mph everywhere.
It is of course possible that the vehicles that started this thread were on a scenic run as the run up the Fosse is very pleasant.
However care is needed on this topic as the bureaucrats will, I am sure, take great delight in quoting classic owners when they attempt to impose a minimum speed limit on our cars as a way of curtailing our hobby

Paul