When I was a kid living in Arizona in the early 1960s,I remember the highway speed limit sign that read: “resume at safe speed.” Or something close to that. I also remember watching Nixon on TV announce the 55 mph speed limit. Along with banning Xmas lights that year.
...and who could forget wage and price controls and de-coupling the dollar from gold altogether.
Nixon was no conservative, and what conservative instincts that he had were severely compromised by his compulsion to be liked by the press and media (which was never possible, any more than it is possible for Trump to be liked, no matter what he does).