Posted on 01/15/2025 6:10:17 AM PST by Red Badger
You must’ve had your foot to the floor rolling downhill with a tail wind.
Per AI
The top speed of a 1969 Volkswagen bus was approximately 60-65 mph. Car Life magazine reported that the VW Bus had a top speed of “just at 60 mph, which can be maintained for hours without harm”
I had a 1968 van until a tree fell on it, and then I got a 1969. Lived in both of them at one time or another, and drove them all over Oregon, Nevada, and Arizona. Usually did about 55 on level roads, and of course slower uphill.
I had the ‘68 over 85 mph once, coming down US 26 off Mt. Hood, in neutral. Then those old drum brakes faded to where I thought I’d never get it stopped. I wasn’t too worried, but the hitchhiker seemed a bit tense. Fun times.
It was the 1980s, 55, 60, or 65, whatever it did was comfortable, another thing was how it held up to a little off roading, not to beat it deliberately, but traveling where there weren’t roads, it was a fine vehicle.
Yes, those things were a lot better in the rough stuff than people thought, mostly because of the ground clearance. First gear, a firm foot on the gas, and careful steering would get you a lot of places. Not a good idea to go where it was too steep, though.
Saw one today and I thought 60’s for a second , looks great.
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