Re: 85 MPH speedometers

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Re: 85 MPH speedometers

Garth Almgren

02 Jun 2006 02:18

>> My '83 Mustang would theoretically top out at about 115 (gear limited),
>> so a 120 MPH speedometer would not have been inappropriate, but alas no:
[quoted text clipped - 4 lines]
> Weren't there some Mustangs during the 85mph speedometer years that had
> 120mph (or something) speedometers with no numbers or decals beyond 85mph?

Maybe on the SVO, but as far as I know for sure, there was only the 85
and the 140.

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~/Garth |"I believe that it is better to tell the truth than a lie.
Almgren | I believe it is better to be free than to be a slave.
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Timothy J. Lee

01 Jun 2006 18:02

>My '83 Mustang would theoretically top out at about 115 (gear limited),
>so a 120 MPH speedometer would not have been inappropriate, but alas no:
>it's stuck with an 85 MPH speedometer (unless I want to upgrade it to a
>SSP instrument cluster. Which I don't, because a) it'd be rather
>pointless, and b) relatively expensive).

Weren't there some Mustangs during the 85mph speedometer years that had
120mph (or something) speedometers with no numbers or decals beyond 85mph?

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Garth Almgren

01 Jun 2006 00:49

> Given the cars of the 1970s / 1980s, were the top speeds of most of the
> cars of the time significantly higher than 85mph? Or were the higher
> speedometer speeds just optimistic numbers for people to brag about
> (like the 160mph speedometer I saw in a new, but non-sporty, car)?

Certainly there's quite a bit of the latter, but as to the former there
were few if any cars that wouldn't do more than 85, even back in the
darkest years of the automotive industry. The SSP Mustangs (police
specials) of the 80s came from the factory with a 140 MPH speedometer,
and they needed it.

My '83 Mustang would theoretically top out at about 115 (gear limited),
so a 120 MPH speedometer would not have been inappropriate, but alas no:
it's stuck with an 85 MPH speedometer (unless I want to upgrade it to a
SSP instrument cluster. Which I don't, because a) it'd be rather
pointless, and b) relatively expensive).

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Timothy J. Lee

31 May 2006 18:03

>A product of the Naderite know-nothings that controled the Carter
>mis-administration. Mandated that a speedometers read 85 and note 55
>in some way (usually its orange when the other numbers are white).
>Speedshops did a brisk business in replacing these with ether Canadian
>spec (which were metric, but still went up to the top speed of the car)

Given the cars of the 1970s / 1980s, were the top speeds of most of the
cars of the time significantly higher than 85mph? Or were the higher
speedometer speeds just optimistic numbers for people to brag about
(like the 160mph speedometer I saw in a new, but non-sporty, car)?

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Timothy J. Lee
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No warranty of any kind is provided with this message.

SP Cook

31 May 2006 11:18

> In the late 70s and 80s, most (all?) cars had speedometers that would only
> go up to 85. Were they mandated by the government? What year did they come
> out? Why 85? At the time the maximum speed limit was 55.

A product of the Naderite know-nothings that controled the Carter
mis-administration. Mandated that a speedometers read 85 and note 55
in some way (usually its orange when the other numbers are white).
Speedshops did a brisk business in replacing these with ether Canadian
spec (which were metric, but still went up to the top speed of the car)
or cop car spec.

Then the NMSL was repealed, Joanie Claybrooke ceased to be listened to,
and TRAFFIC MORTALITY WENT DOWN. Just like we said it would. Because
underposted speed limts and over and selective enforcement of them
never saved one life or one drop of oil.

Now the irresponsible voices of stupidity are again resuming their war
on motorist's rights. Fight them.

Join the NMA.

SP Cook

Ronnie Dobbs	31 May 2006 10:26
In the late 70s and 80s, most (all?) cars had speedometers that would only go up to 85. Were they mandated by the government? What year did they come out? Why 85? At the time the maximum speed limit was 55.

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