Re: Packard MPG

Posted by Loyd Smith On 2008/7/3 12:16:21

I know that few who drive cars that are 50+ years old do as much highway driving as I do but am wondering what speeds are normally driven when such driving is done. When on the Florida Turnpike, I-4, I-95 and I-75, my '55 Pat WANTS to run 80 mph. I try to keep it closer to 70 - 75 but it's, "sweet," spot (where it seems that everything comes together, all components mesh in perfect harmony with each other and everything just seems, "right,") seems to be 80 mph. If you take your eyes off of the speedometer or let your attention wander and then look back at the speedo it's back at 79 - 80 mph. A couple of highway runs made with a tachometer and vacuum gauge hooked up in the cockpit seem to indicate that the engine is performing within its optimum operating range.

I know that the car's aerodynamics are bad and that it certainly doesn't achieve its best fuel efficiency at that speed but it's REALLY hard to keep it under 75. Being used as a daily driver, as it is, I've considered adding an aftermarket speed control.