Packards1 Quote:
I cruise my 56 between 65-75 on the freeways all the time. I don't own or use a trailer. However I'll let someone else race along at 80-85 mph. Its not safe and not for me.
I beg to differ based on locale (which was pointed out in my OP). Out here in the "Wild West", if you are "poking along" at 65-75 then you're going to get run over, even staying in the rightmost lane. Going that slow (65-75) is unsafe because of what the other stupid drivers do to get around you.
In the "Wild West", 80-85 is the minimum for keeping up with traffic flow. SoCal is even worse in this regard than Southern Nevada (Las Vegas, etc).
WRT rear gear ratio:
1) My 55 Pat has 3.54:1 rear gears and the engine does fine cruising at over 3000 RPM.
2) My Panther (nee Clipper) has 3.23:1 rear gears and will have as tall a tire I can fit into the wheel well. So, it will see less RPM at 80-85 (or 120 for that matter).
WRT division of Packards:
...into trailer queens and freeway queens. That comment was meant to evoke discussion and was not an advocacy position. It seems to have worked.
It's one thing to drive your Packard on pleasure cruises and to Car Shows. It is quite another to drive your Packard safely and reasonably in modern freeway and interstate traffic. I do both, hence my OP.
One more point:
I have front disc brakes and BTV replacement on my 55 Pat to protect myself from idiot "Rice Rocket" (or even SUV) drivers who jump cut in front of you and then slam on their (ABS 4W) brakes. It's a jungle out there.
Craig
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