Re: On Topic? Cars, anyway: 55 MPH speed limit...

You're not dreaming. I remember those same signs 40 years ago in Indiana and Illinois. There was even a question on the drivers' test in Illinois in

1965 that cars on the interstate had to yield to merging traffic (the answer was <true>). Blew my mind when I got to Dallas and the merging lanes onto US75 had red and green lights at the end.

Are you kidding? Driving in Boston is like a breath of fresh air compared to the knuckleheads we have down here in DC. Boston drivers in my experience are somewhat aggressive and fast, but other than that quite competent and predictable. (and i'd say the same about NYC, Chicago, etc. in comparison to DC)

DC-area drivers are hands down the worst I have ever encountered, anywhere. (granted, I have never driven in any foreign countries save for Canada.)

nate

In some but not all states, the rule of thumb is you MUST signal when changing lanes, 3 blinks if you're a car, and six blinks if you're towing a trailer, and / or a tractor trailer.

Willy

No, it was indeed 70.

Try 110-150 for the average full-size big-block car. The '69 Polara police model held the top speed in both of the controlled highway patrol test processes (Michigan and California) at a tick over 150 mph until the LT-1 powered 9C1 Caprice finally matched it in the early 1990s. The only difference between it and a "civilian" Polara was

ANY self-respecting 60s car (other than a compact like a Falcon/Mustang) would cruise an interstate at 90 as well or better than many of today's cars. Carving switchbacks- different story. But for straight and level high-speed cruising, give me a '65 Imperial any day.

I was told by an Indiana State Police patrolman that Studebaker took some State Police big-wigs to a race track (don't know which one). They were invited to bring their fastest patrol cars along. Dodge's were the fastest at about 140, followed closely by Ford and then Chevy. Studebaker had a little Lark with an Avanti engine (supercharged). It did an honest 160 mph.

Jack

Like how about when you move into the left lane to let someone on, and the jerks fly past you on the right, and won't let you back over. Tony

A 289 would do that... for a while :-) Seriously, with a 3" stroke and lighter pistons than the larger-bore 302, it was a pretty good high-winder right off the showroom floor. Sustained 6800- probably not, though.