How Fast
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
I hope the car insurance companies don't crawl these car forum web sites. But my dad had a 57 ford fairlane with that 312 Thunderbird motor. It was a 2 speed automatic. Got 10 mpg in town and 10 on the highway. All barrels of the carb opened up when you hit 55 mph regardless if you had it wot or not. This thing could pass other cars like a bat out of hell! It topped out at 110 mph.
"Developed as a three-speed automatic, the Ford-O-Matic used a cast-iron case and would normally be started in second gear. For this reason, you often see the Ford-O-Matic referred to as a two-speed, although the only actual two-speed units were produced from 1959-'64, and they had aluminum cases."
http://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hmn...n/3724601.html
I don't remember the 4 barrel carb opening all four barrels on my 1957 Ford 312, 245 HP or on my Mom's 1957 Mercury that also had the 312 with 245 HP, at 55 MPH. I believe the rear two barrels only opened at WOT like other 4 barrels carbs of the day.
Last edited by JoesC5; Mar 18, 2016 at 03:19 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 998
Likes: 122
I've had my C7 up to about 135. I had my C6 up to 175 at a closed road charity event. The C7 feels much more stable at speed than my C6.
Someday I'd like to find an event that will let you go all out. I'd like to see if i could hit 200 mph. I have 700 RWHP but I'm not sure if that's enough.
Someday I'd like to find an event that will let you go all out. I'd like to see if i could hit 200 mph. I have 700 RWHP but I'm not sure if that's enough.
actually, 700 hp gave hennessey 200.6 in texas with the spoiler in place in 5th gear, driving with one hand so he could snap a picture of the 200.6 attained speed. i'd have had both hands on the wheel!
he passed the helicopter, lol.
Last edited by senah; Mar 18, 2016 at 03:54 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 132
From: Houston TX
In a dream I drove my C7 down the new stretch of 99 Tollway 145 mph.
In another dream I drove my C5 down Beltway 8 about 125 mph.
Years ago I dreamt about driving down Interstate 15 from Vegas to LA at 165 mph. I also dreamt I got a speeding ticket from a Nevada Highway patrol plane which sucked!
Other than dreaming about driving fast I drive safely at the posted speed limit at all times.
In another dream I drove my C5 down Beltway 8 about 125 mph.
Years ago I dreamt about driving down Interstate 15 from Vegas to LA at 165 mph. I also dreamt I got a speeding ticket from a Nevada Highway patrol plane which sucked!
Other than dreaming about driving fast I drive safely at the posted speed limit at all times.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 998
Likes: 122
In a dream I drove my C7 down the new stretch of 99 Tollway 145 mph.
In another dream I drove my C5 down Beltway 8 about 125 mph.
Years ago I dreamt about driving down Interstate 15 from Vegas to LA at 165 mph. I also dreamt I got a speeding ticket from a Nevada Highway patrol plane which sucked!
Other than dreaming about driving fast I drive safely at the posted speed limit at all times.
In another dream I drove my C5 down Beltway 8 about 125 mph.
Years ago I dreamt about driving down Interstate 15 from Vegas to LA at 165 mph. I also dreamt I got a speeding ticket from a Nevada Highway patrol plane which sucked!
Other than dreaming about driving fast I drive safely at the posted speed limit at all times.
when they came into the dream, that is when it turned to a nightmare, lol.
Last edited by senah; Mar 18, 2016 at 04:07 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
I would never 
violate 
a speed limit sign 
that's just crazy
what?
Yea, right.
Played somewhat conservative at NCM track, so only made about 105 down the back stretch before I backed off. That was before I knew how well the car would brake.
I want to go back...no roads around here that even make mine breathe hard.
violate a speed limit sign that's just crazy
what?
Yea, right.
Played somewhat conservative at NCM track, so only made about 105 down the back stretch before I backed off. That was before I knew how well the car would brake.
I want to go back...no roads around here that even make mine breathe hard.
Last edited by aj98; Mar 18, 2016 at 04:37 PM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 408
From: Greer, SC
I try to be a law abiding citizen but speed limits in certain areas are insane. Up state you can drive for 20 miles on an Interstate and not see another car. Speed limits in remote areas are nothing more than revenue generators.
If you never break the law (including accelerating quickly or speeding) why would you want a Corvette? I get that its a cool car but for me, its all about the power.
If you never break the law (including accelerating quickly or speeding) why would you want a Corvette? I get that its a cool car but for me, its all about the power.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
I'm curious. Is there any law against WOT on freeway entrances to get up to freeway posted speed real fast? I do that once in a while. I'll hit the entrance rolling at about 5 mph and then just gun the sucker! Usually going from 5 to 60 in about 4 seconds. I hope that is not considered reckless driving. I just can't resist.
I've know people in beaters making a hard right turn out of a parking lot onto a 45mph road get cited for that reason.
If there is another car next to you when that happens, then they call it racing, that's another category of reckless.
More than 20 over the posted limit or anything over 85 is (supposed to be) severe punishment.
So to answer the question, as long as you don't break the speed limit, or chirp a wheel when you shift, or spin one when going WOT, you're golden
What was that about it's only illegal if you get caught ??
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
I am not unfamiliar with 3 digits in any vehicle I have owned.
Straight line is one thing - given enough time, most cars can get beyond any posted speed limit, but handling and cornering are something else again, and that's where I enjoy both the C5 and C7 the most.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 4,364
Likes: 408
From: Greer, SC
Just wanted to see how many animated icons I could fit into one post.
I am not unfamiliar with 3 digits in any vehicle I have owned.
Straight line is one thing - given enough time, most cars can get beyond any posted speed limit, but handling and cornering are something else again, and that's where I enjoy both the C5 and C7 the most.
I am not unfamiliar with 3 digits in any vehicle I have owned.
Straight line is one thing - given enough time, most cars can get beyond any posted speed limit, but handling and cornering are something else again, and that's where I enjoy both the C5 and C7 the most.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 132
From: Houston TX
If I was smarter I would have slowed to 5 mph and maybe not received a ticket as they were using markers on the road to calculate your speed and 165 mph averaged with 55 mph over the distance traveled = law breaker. All a distant bad dream.
My dreams of high speed go back to watching "The Gumball Rally" as a kid... Pretty much the movie that made me want a Corvette Convertible, Ferrari Daytona, Shelby 427 Cobra, Porsche 911, etc. "The first rule of Italian Driving... What's behind me is not important."
Then Cannonball Run came along and made everyone want a Lamborghini Countach. Back then all I could afford was a poster of one.
Anyone else have one of these:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 2,017
Likes: 169
From: SE VA VA
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
I believe that the 1957 Ford-o-Matic was a 3 speed transmission.
"Developed as a three-speed automatic, the Ford-O-Matic used a cast-iron case and would normally be started in second gear. For this reason, you often see the Ford-O-Matic referred to as a two-speed, although the only actual two-speed units were produced from 1959-'64, and they had aluminum cases."
http://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hmn...n/3724601.html
I don't remember the 4 barrel carb opening all four barrels on my 1957 Ford 312, 245 HP or on my Mom's 1957 Mercury that also had the 312 with 245 HP, at 55 MPH. I believe the rear two barrels only opened at WOT like other 4 barrels carbs of the day.
"Developed as a three-speed automatic, the Ford-O-Matic used a cast-iron case and would normally be started in second gear. For this reason, you often see the Ford-O-Matic referred to as a two-speed, although the only actual two-speed units were produced from 1959-'64, and they had aluminum cases."
http://www.hemmings.com/magazine/hmn...n/3724601.html
I don't remember the 4 barrel carb opening all four barrels on my 1957 Ford 312, 245 HP or on my Mom's 1957 Mercury that also had the 312 with 245 HP, at 55 MPH. I believe the rear two barrels only opened at WOT like other 4 barrels carbs of the day.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,382
Likes: 3,501
From: Lake Havasu City Arizona
In VA, chirping (or spinning) a wheel is considered reckless driving.
I've know people in beaters making a hard right turn out of a parking lot onto a 45mph road get cited for that reason.
If there is another car next to you when that happens, then they call it racing, that's another category of reckless.
More than 20 over the posted limit or anything over 85 is (supposed to be) severe punishment.
So to answer the question, as long as you don't break the speed limit, or chirp a wheel when you shift, or spin one when going WOT, you're golden
What was that about it's only illegal if you get caught ??
I've know people in beaters making a hard right turn out of a parking lot onto a 45mph road get cited for that reason.
If there is another car next to you when that happens, then they call it racing, that's another category of reckless.
More than 20 over the posted limit or anything over 85 is (supposed to be) severe punishment.
So to answer the question, as long as you don't break the speed limit, or chirp a wheel when you shift, or spin one when going WOT, you're golden
What was that about it's only illegal if you get caught ??
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 579
Likes: 56
From: Sarasota Florida
Va, Ga, commie forma , La all have speed traps on interstate , Florida has traps near schools !Florida with them near schools I almost understand...
Ga has some small town traps on interstate...
Speed is income pure and simple ... I get upset when a LEO sees but don't pull some one with a headlight or tail light out! That is defective equipment that is a big issue in states with no inspection.
Well it is neat some of the responses !
Ga has some small town traps on interstate...
Speed is income pure and simple ... I get upset when a LEO sees but don't pull some one with a headlight or tail light out! That is defective equipment that is a big issue in states with no inspection.
Well it is neat some of the responses !
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2015
Posts: 1,120
Likes: 132
From: Houston TX
Now here is another one for you. Let's say you are on two lane highway. One lane for each direction. The posted speed limit is 55 let's say. You are going to pass the car in front. How fast can you go around that car to pass. I am assuming you can do it as fast as you can and then reasonably slow down to the posted limit. In other words, you are not bound by the posted speed limit when passing obviously. But technically you are way over the posted speed limit when passing. I passed a car the other day that was going 50 in a 55 posted speed limit zone. I punched it to get around and by the time I let up on the gas I was doing 90. I slowed down to 60 and remained at that speed. But, here I was going 35 over at the passing speed. I hope that is legal.
In a Corvette in my dreams I would Jimmie Johnson my way around the vehicle puttering down the road at 50 mph Nascar style! Well maybe not bump the car into the wall on the way around.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 850
Likes: 415
New personal best land speed record for this old guy today in my Stingray: 150 mph. It wasn't in a dream, but of course it was on a private road and perfectly legal. Never would I do otherwise.
The roughness and slight dips in the pavement sure are noticeable at that speed.
The roughness and slight dips in the pavement sure are noticeable at that speed.