I got my '65 Chevrolet C60 up to 88mph once. The flux capacitor wasn't charged however, so the anticipated time jump never happened :-D At least I don't think it did.. but I don't know, things are pretty nuts nowadays, bigger picture. Kidding, sort of.. but anyway.. I had new tires at the time and it did drive pretty nice and straight, I never felt like I was going to have a problem keeping it in line. Got it out of my system, safely :-)
I had a 1947 GMC stubby bus that I took on the freeway once. Once. It was fine up to about 50, then there was a wicked shimmy and that was just the beginning! Actually had some RPM left, but the rest of the rig just really wanted to go 48mph tops. So I backed off and took it slow til the next exit.
The differences between that old crashbox shifted AD, versus even the '65s that Dad and I both had, were stark. Either C60 will do a comfortable 68mph and stop competently from that speed. I say comfortable in terms of the chassis, steering, yes I've even had to swerve to miss something and even had a pretty sudden flat tire, tho I think I was a bit under 60 when I got the flat. Pulled to the left pretty hard but it was very manageable and I got off the road quickly and safely. Even though the kingpin bushings are the same from 1947 onward, something obviously changed. Wider frame? More caster angle? Better leverage of steering gear to linkage? I don't know, but even the 1960 debut frame just drives a whole lot better at somewhat modern speeds versus its predecessors.
I sure don't plan on making a habit of going over 80, even with the new gears in the rear end where 4800RPM computes to 98mph and I know that big Cadillac will do it especially with new, safe radial tires. But 65-70 will be great versus the 54mph at the same RPM in front of original gears. 3200RPM at 65 will make the 500 Cad very happy versus 3850RPM at that speed.
I'm greatly looking forward to that.
Last edited by Tronman; 07/10/2024 6:41 AM.
