55 was the usual speed limit in most states before the interstates were built. I sometimes thought they came up with that number because they didn't want you doing more than 60, but figured everyone would drive faster than the limit anyway, so set it at 55 and enforced 60. No, wait a minute, that would mean politicians had thought things out. That is an oxymoron, politicians and thinking.
Actually, someone once told me that 55mph was the top speed of a mid-nineteen-twenties Model-T Ford. That Henry paid off the various states to pass 55 as the speed limit so other cars couldn't pass by his cars. (This story is more likely true than the one about RR never breaking down, but not by much.) Ciao, Graywolf ---------------------------------------------------------- ----- Original Message ----- From: "mike wilson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, September 04, 2003 4:37 AM Subject: Really right OT: Car keys - WAS Survival Kit > Hi, > > Knarf wrote: > > > I seem to recall that pretty much every English sports car of the 50's and 60's > > featured rain dribbling in from ~somewhere~. I thought you guys did it on > > purpose. > > We did. Export models (North America) only. It was to keep you awake > as you bumbled along at 55mph. Don't tell me you didn't do it before it > became law. That number had to come from somewhere..... > > > <g> > > Indeed. > > More seriously: anyone know of a convertible that doesn't leak? Astons > and Bentleys do. Three whheeler Morgan hoods reduce the level of > precipitation somewhat but the hood is so obscuring it is much safer to > leave it down and wear waterproofs. > > mike > --- Outgoing mail is certified Virus Free. Checked by AVG anti-virus system (http://www.grisoft.com). Version: 6.0.514 / Virus Database: 312 - Release Date: 8/28/03
