Speed Limits & Safety For Classic Cars & Vintage Trucks

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

I've recently had discussions with people concerning rates of speed allowed on roadways - how they vary, how frequently the speeds are posted along the roadways, why some limits seem so low, and others seem way too high. These ultimately lead to debates about what the ideal speeds are, the excessive use of speed traps by some cities or counties, laws about street racing, too many trucks on the road, and a host of other pet peeves and/or opinions that people develop over time and love to talk about.

I'm blessed to live and work in the great state of Texas! There's just so much to love about it here. I've lived in quite a few places around the country and have seen a lot of different standards when it comes to roads and specifically posted speeds. It really hit home when I recently traveled to the East Coast, where in some areas, highway speeds are still 55 to 60 mph. Coming from a state where on some highways you're able to travel up to 85 mph, secondary roads average 70, and even on farm-to-market roads you can go 60, driving 55 on a highway seems like an absolute crawl! I've also been in situations where I feel that people are driving too fast and too recklessly and think they need some help for their lead foot unless they're on a race track. I personally like the radar feedback signs that display how fast you're actually going, and think they can help keep drivers in-check to some degree. However, according to the caption in the photo below, some drivers may feel the signs are "egging" them on!


Photo by: funnyjunk.com created on diydispair.com

Running a performance shop for pre-1980 cars and trucks, we have a unique perspective because, while we love performance and speed, we need to make sure our customer's "oldie-but-goodie" vintage car is safe. Certainly when the cars were designed, the powertrain, steering, braking, suspension and other systems matched the system of roadways that existed at the time. With improvements in technologies, both in our roadway design and construction and in the technology advances with automobiles, classic car owners face a dilemma when considering a restoration of their vehicle, and it's one that always draws a lot of debate among enthusiasts. Do you keep your car completely stock with equipment that is often adequate but not state-of-the-art, or do you incorporate performance upgrades that will enhance your driving experience and provide additional safety?

To some degree, the area of the country you live in may influence your decision. Road conditions and posted speed limits vary tremendously from place to place around the country. Weather conditions also may influence your decision, as your needs may be quite different in the Northeast compared to the Southern States. The type of vehicle you have may also be a big consideration. How rare is it? Would modifying a rare "cherry" vintage car diminish it's value by changing its stock factory condition? Are you a collector, an enthusiast, or something in-between? How do you use your vehicle? As a daily drive, a weekend cruise, a show vehicle, or just an occasional ride?

Trends are certainly something you should take into account, as trends tend to come and go, and you may find yourself temporarily adding something cool, only to have it diminish the value or appeal of your ride several years later. We've all seen this happen recently with the "big tire" craze that had people destroying wheel wells in an attempt to cram a 22" tire into a factory 15" opening! Now that the craze is over, body shops are raking in the money restoring them. We may not see this as much in Texas yet, but the trend has been reversing itself in California and the West Coast. Consulting with your performance or restoration shop can benefit you as they are aware of trends. Sometimes they're part of the trend movement and sometimes they're traditionalists who know the value in keeping things original.

Do your research, know your options, and always keep your budget in mind! Upgrading to modern technologies are usually never as simple as bolting on a new something. For instance, when upgrading a suspension, you frequently need to modify, reinforce or repair the frame, a cross member, etc. There are fine products that will certainly add to your driving pleasure, and keep your car safely on the road, but it will come at a price. Remember, we're upgrading a vehicle which may be 30 to 50 years old.

Which brings me back to the question "what is a good, safe speed limit?"  We'd love to hear from you to get your opinion. We've created a survey in the sidebar to the right where you can cast your vote. We'll report on the final results after it closes on August 3rd.

Let's agree that we're referring to "cruising down the highway" speeds, not street racing! Remember, just because you know how to handle your vehicle at high rates of speed, there are  lot of other people out there on the roads with you that you need to worry about getting in your way, cutting you off, being reckless or even being intoxicated.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.