My wife left early to play bells so I drove the coupe to church [about five miles U.S. highway in town. I took the Garmjn just to see how fast I normally drive and found 30-35 to be a real easy speed where the engine sounded happy. I took it up to 40 briefly and she was revved up but nut complaining so I feel like she's running good. Curious as to how fast most of you guys find to be a comfortable [for your car] cruising speed?
35 works for me
schuh
I have often said that my T seems most comfortable on a country road cruising at 34-36 mph. It loafs along without exerting itself, and it's a respectable speed for rural traffic.
This came up a few years ago.
It seems that in 'those days' 37 MPH was the safe top speed for a T on a long cruise and that the average T would do only 42 MPH, which was probably due to the poorer gasoline in those days.
That's if my memory ...............what was the subject again?
35 is about average for me. In the Touring, that is. 25 in the TT,
We drove 30-35 in ours until we did the motor last summer. Last Sunday on the way home from church there was a radar trailer that tells your speed as you drive by. My wife was shocked when it started flashing 45 at us. She thought we were still going 30-35 like before. I tried to tell her it runs that much better now. Thanks to the guy who helped me. He knows who he is.
My touring and I are most comfortable at 30 to 35. I find 40 too exciting.
our little roadster sits at 43, without a problem, it would no doubt go faster or slower, but this is the speed it likes
In our 14 Runabout 30 is back road top speed. Afraid the 98 year old wheels might turn into sawdust. Engine hums along great at that speed.
35 is great for stock gears.
43 for 3:1 gears.
: ^ )
I think my T runs best at 35, my Dad has followed me in a late model pickup truck at 47 mph. He said I was approx: 3-4 car lengths ahead of him, so I'm guessing I was going 50 mph....?
50 mph is a little to much for me, I'd rather drive mine like they were ment to be driven, slow and steady .
My 1915 Touring sounds and feels happy at 35 mph and below. The car will easily do 40 on level ground, but the engine revs pretty high to do that and there a subtle vibration which cannot be interpreted as beneficial—I get a little uncomfortable thinking about what might be happening to an unbalanced, not particularly strong crankshaft.
On one occasion, my GPS was reading 42 mph with plenty of throttle travel left in reserve for more; but no, thanks. At that point, I had already traded some control for speed and lost the ability to safely dodge damaging potholes. Not a good feeling, that.
Of course, cars of Model T vintage have feeble brakes and stopping distance at 40 mph is more than double that at 30 mph. I've found that downhill braking is enhanced by prayer through clenched teeth.
According to a town radar sign and our GPS I once did 31 in our 19 woodie - slightly down hill.
It was fast enough for me.
I prefer 25 or so..