• From: Ontario, Canada
  • Registered: 2005-06-11
  • Posts: 266

Topic: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

90 miles an hour baby!

My 74 bug is, for the most part, stock (with the exception of an adjustable front end and this heinous DFAV carb with a dirty-ass old air cleaner).  And I dont think its ever gone that fast in its entire history as an automobile.  Nor is it likely to go that fast again (I'm not one for top speed usually, just acceleration really) but it was a thrill ride.

4 AM, country road, going down a hill into a straight-away....  pushed third gear to about 75 miles an hour (wow, the scream this thing made) and then gave it all she had into 4th.     Hit 90 and screamed "NINETEEE MIIIIIILLLEESSSSANNNHOWAHHHHHHH"

At that point I began to slow down and instantly smelled gasoline, exhaust, and oil, and I think burning plastic.  Continued to drive home... no electrical problems.. no oil problems.... purred like a kitten.  Next day, still running fine.

I have a feeling that karma should have caught up with me at some point.  My rational is currently : since I'm going to do a really big overhaul on her this winter, I could maybe push her a bit more than usual.  But if she keeps taking it without even blinking, I dunno what I'm going to do!   I expected an oil leak (er, a lot more than the usual drips;).. melted something.. broken other things...  but no.  Drives like it has every other day.

A testament to German engineering, is all I can say.

Of course now I have a taste for speed...  and money to burn... OH NOES! wink

-biggie

thebignic's Website

  • From: B.C.Canada
  • Registered: 2005-01-26
  • Posts: 2,610

Re: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

I've driven mine pretty fast. Good thing your not in the mountains here in B.C. The limit is not the motor when coming down a mountain road. It's everything else. Shake rattle and roll. I get the smells going up the mountain in the summer but it hasn't overheated yet and I don't have a good seal in my engine compartment. It doesn't go over 195' F. By the way I moved here from Ontario. Miss the uncountable lakes!!

'71 SB(DD only 79K(now 84K miles) & '78 FI Westy (project)
PO of '65 Beetle in '69, '70 Crewcab & '70 Ghia in '77
'71 Super inside rear vents now available
http://www.openroad.ca/volkswebbin/view … p?id=85915
  • Registered: 2005-06-02
  • Posts: 427

Re: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

YEAH BABY--looks like your gonna want a performance package now!

Was it the county road to Lafontaine (Rue du Loup I think)?  I love that road.

We drove to the Embrun car show (near Ottawa) on the 401 about 12 yrs ago.  Did about 75-90 a good chunk of the way--we just settled the throttle where it sounded the happiest--what a great ride.  We sure felt like we were flying despite tractor trailors passing us by.

Patty B.
'69 stock bug
  • From: Ontario, Canada
  • Registered: 2005-06-11
  • Posts: 266

Re: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

Balm Beach road.. it connects to County Road 6, which I think is what you're talking about? (if not, its the road parallel to it smile  Just coming down into Perkinsfield theres a hill and a straight-away, then a flashing red light at the intersection of County Road 6.   I try to get personal top speed records down County road 6 all the time, but the best I could do was always about 85mph. Its a fun ride, but too many hills and corners to give the old girl enough time to get up to speed.

-biggie

thebignic's Website

  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

Biggie: Careful, we don't want to lose any regulars around here......actually we don't want to lose anyone, but especially VW drivers. I can't remember just how fast I've ever driven my stock '65, but I doubt that it's been over 70 mph (112.65 kph)....not that it couldn't do more, it's just that I don't enjoy the drive as much. Probably due to my advanced age<grin>.

Clancy

  • From: B.C.Canada
  • Registered: 2005-01-26
  • Posts: 2,610

Re: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

I'm with you Clancy. Life is too precious. I won't go past 70 MPH but it feels like my engine would push me to 90. But can I trust all the other components? After all it's pretty old. When things get old they start to break down. Right Clancy?

'71 SB(DD only 79K(now 84K miles) & '78 FI Westy (project)
PO of '65 Beetle in '69, '70 Crewcab & '70 Ghia in '77
'71 Super inside rear vents now available
http://www.openroad.ca/volkswebbin/view … p?id=85915
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

...definitely.....Even my aches have aches.......

C.

  • Registered: 2007-08-28
  • Posts: 37

Re: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

I did 95 on a flat highway in my '73 shortly before I burnt the valves...

hence it sitting in storage now, lol.

'71 Westy (Daily driver work in progress)
'73 Beetle (in storage awaiting restoration)
'73 412 4dr Sedan (saved from scrapyard and awaiting restoration)
Create your VW blog at www.aircooledaddiction.net
  • From: Vancouver Canada
  • Registered: 2004-04-28
  • Posts: 441

Re: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

I did 86 mph in my bug with the engine turned OFF!  I5 northbound from LA down the grapevine.

  • From: Marietta, GA
  • Registered: 2006-05-30
  • Posts: 606

Re: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

I've done 85 on a straight-a-way many times, but haven't yet pushed it the final 5 to 90 to peg the speedo... been too nervous.

(Although I've been told that I could easily go 100 with my engine... scared to try... don't wanna wreck in a Bug at 100mph, or even 90mph really.)

Eric - '68 "Herbie" 1835cc (O\(53)/O)
GO BUCKS !!!!!!
  • From: Colorado Springs, CO
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 3,622

Re: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

Eric:.....or even 30 mph! But what the heck, being dead at 90 mph or being dead at 30 mph, I guess it really doesn't change the final result.....

C.

  • TomB
  • Moderator
  • Offline
  • From: Austin, TX
  • Registered: 2004-03-27
  • Posts: 1,095

Re: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

I remember years back Volvo's safety records of accidents in Europe showed passenger deaths at speeds as low as 20 mph if they weren't wearing seatbelts, but none under 60 mph if they were wearing them. So, yeah - if you hit something in the car even at low speeds it can be bad.

  • From: Marietta, GA
  • Registered: 2006-05-30
  • Posts: 606

Re: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

Insurance companies charge such a low price for insuring these old cars because the number of accidents (percentage wise taking into account ratios of antique cars to modern cars) is way fewer with them... probably because not only is the driver being more careful, but other drivers who see the car are more careful around it.

That being said... even with my car having new retractable seat belts, new seats and the collapsible steering wheel... having an auto accident in it would be devasting to the car and to any passengers.

I usually just drive it 65-72mph on the freeway, don't make stupid passes, and wave to the kids whose parents pass me.

Eric - '68 "Herbie" 1835cc (O\(53)/O)
GO BUCKS !!!!!!
  • From: Valdosta, GA
  • Registered: 2005-04-25
  • Posts: 162

Re: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

I've taken mine up to 90 on I-75, pretty flat around here, back after I got the thing back on the road 2-3 years ago.
She doesn't mind.

My other '71 I took for a spin down the road after flushing the tank & lines. Still sounds like crap, still wants to stall. But that is another thread... I need to find my manual at the moment. It isn't too bad, but it doesn't sound very good like my old '71.

  • From: Vancouver Canada
  • Registered: 2004-04-28
  • Posts: 441

Re: 144.84096 kilometers per hour

emeeder wrote:

.... but other drivers who see the car are more careful around it.

That's a fantasy.  The average driver on the road with a cell phone glued to one ear doesn't give a damn about your old car.