“What good is owning a car that can get a speeding ticket in FIRST gear?”
Years ago, a good friend of mine bought a new 57 Chevy with the 283 cu in, 283 hp version, and a close ratio three speed manual transmission. One night in Des Moines, going out Fleur Drive towards the airport, some guys in a hopped up Ford wanted to drag. We teased ‘em, and stayed ahead...we were going 95 mph and still in first gear...when we finally had to stop at the traffic light at Army Post Rd they caught up to us...heads shaking, they said we kept waiting for you to have to shift...
So we were all in first gear of course...and we did not get a speeding ticket that night :)
- Yup - a ‘59 impala ported 283ci with 2-4’s and a Duntov SR cam will turn well over 100mph in low range with a Powerglide and easily walk away from a 283/290hp fuelie ‘Vettefrom 55mph up
I was a pretty competent driver, just starting out in local competitions. In 1965, (age 19) I rolled a MB 190SL at Lime Rock (SCCA/F class)..almost right in front of where my parents were sitting. I was fine, got out and walked away. My mom ran over..when she saw I was fine, took her pocket book, and started beating me over the helmet with it, My dream of being the next Juan Manuel Fangio died that day.
Could not keep the fuelies in tune very long.
Had a four speed close ratio, as all were in stock in late fifties/early sixties. It would register just past 60mph
in first gear.