1981 Speedometers
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Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: Portland Oregon
1981 Speedometers
I was wondering why all the later 70's/early 80's Corvettes only had a top speed on the speedometer of 85mph?
I don't know a lot about technical stuff or engines or any of that kind of thing, and this may sound like a completely stupid question, but -
Why do they only go to 85?
This doesn't mean the car can only reach a top speed of 85mph, does it?
The only thing I've read is that it was a government regulation or something, but I'm wondering about the performance of the car due to the speedometer...
Sorry for a dumb question, I'd just like to know.
I don't know a lot about technical stuff or engines or any of that kind of thing, and this may sound like a completely stupid question, but -
Why do they only go to 85?
This doesn't mean the car can only reach a top speed of 85mph, does it?
The only thing I've read is that it was a government regulation or something, but I'm wondering about the performance of the car due to the speedometer...
Sorry for a dumb question, I'd just like to know.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 854
Likes: 7
From: dudley ma
you are right on the government regulation
55 mph speedometers
On September 1 1979, in a rulemaking that also regulated speedometer and odometer accuracy, the NHTSA required speedometers to have special emphasis on the number 55 and a maximum speed of 85 mph. However, on October 22 1981, the NHTSA proposed eliminating speedometer and odometer rules because they were "unlikely to yield significant safety benefits" and "[a] highlighted '55' on a speedometer scale adds little to the information provided to the driver by a roadside speed limit sign." (While odometer accuracy also has an economic benefit--more accurate sales of cars--the NHTSA's rules must have a clear safety benefit to be valid.)
Just another showing of how the government trys to regulate our lives
55 mph speedometers
On September 1 1979, in a rulemaking that also regulated speedometer and odometer accuracy, the NHTSA required speedometers to have special emphasis on the number 55 and a maximum speed of 85 mph. However, on October 22 1981, the NHTSA proposed eliminating speedometer and odometer rules because they were "unlikely to yield significant safety benefits" and "[a] highlighted '55' on a speedometer scale adds little to the information provided to the driver by a roadside speed limit sign." (While odometer accuracy also has an economic benefit--more accurate sales of cars--the NHTSA's rules must have a clear safety benefit to be valid.)
Just another showing of how the government trys to regulate our lives
Last edited by 78pace; May 15, 2010 at 08:13 AM.
