Question of the day: Why did 1980s cars have 85-mph speedometers

[whitehot1]

http://news.yahoo.com/question-of-the-day-why-did-1980s-cars-have-233212628.html

I think all or most of us have thought about this question.

As we know our Turbo Regals can far exceed that mph with the greatest of ease.

 

[John Larkin]

Because time travel @ 88mph really isn't possible?

 

[Chuck Leeper]

John is right! Should you get into the time travel range, there's a good chance that the paint would suffer from the elevated heat.

Actually, I think the govt figured that w/ 85 on the speedo, noone would go any faster, saving gas, lives. Worked well, didn't it? An 85mph speedo, and a 126mph speed cut in the chip.

 

[rodruckus]

So to not encourage people to drive 100+mph. I remember when I first got my license, that was something you wanted to go out and do just to do. Like it was some sorta magic milestone/bragging rights.

Also, did you ever notice or wonder why 55 is highlighted in yellow on the GN's speedometer? The reason being we used to have a national speed limit in place, which was 55mph. It was implemented to make us drive at a speed deemed more fuel efficient, thereby curbing our appetite/dependency on foreign oil.

 

[gusszgs]

Ya Sammy Hagar sang all about it

 

[6cylboost]

1 foot on the brake, and 1 on the gas. HEY

 

[RmvBfrFlght]

I recall those days, thanks Jimmy Carter. Also remember the rolling blockades, where state troopers would drive cars side-by-side in every lane at exactly 55 MPH, and let the vehicles pile up behind them. What a farce, that speed on a highway would put you to sleep.

RemoveBeforeFlight

 

[stage1gn]

Because the cars were so pathetic , anyone who went 90 could say " Yup , I buried the speedometer in my 85 Monte SS !!!!!!

 

[Dennis Kirban]

If I recall it was based on the 55 mph national law took almost an act of god to get it lifted years later. While its true on US produced cars foreign cars did not have to abide by 85 mph speedo matter of fact the lowly 1987 Yugo had a 120 speedo in it......not sure if the Yugo could achieve that speed on a flat surface.

One must remember its not what the digits read that makes our cars impressive its how quick they reach any given speed that makes our cars exceptional in 1986-87. a fact that does not sit well with any 1986-1987 Corvette owner.

denniskirban@yahoo.com

 

[novaderrik]

the Mustang SVO had a 140mph speedo in it... with all the numbers higher than 85mph not printed on them:

personally, i like a 120mph speedometer... but only because 60mph is straight up on one, and that's my general cruising speed in a 55mph zone. and nothing i own ever has working cruise control. makes it easy to maintain my cruising speed when all i have to do is glance down and see that the needle is pointing straight up..

 

[Nick Micale]

Actually the 85 MPH speedo will work well here in the West.

I left LA yesterday to come back to Phoenix on a day trip and traveling at mainly 85 MPH, and the 350+ mile trip only took 4 hours on I-10 with one pit stop!