Driving in the Early '60s

[Elanintheforest]

This is what the roads were like when the Elan first came out. I wonder if the speaker is also typical of Mk 11 Jag drivers of the time?!

I've only spotted two non-Brit cars in the hundreds filmed......

http://www.youtube.com/user/tecmovie#p/a/0/JE82FZpq0qM

Mark

[john.p.clegg]

"unilateral parking"?....sounds like the M60 rush-hour....

John

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Flash the Lights twice, if that doesn't work beep the Horn twice, it'd be like signing your own death certificate nowadays.
I enjoyed the ride through Marlborough. Our Apprentice Coach trips to London used to make break there. Coffee in the Morning, Beer at night.
Thanks for the memories.
John

[tcsoar]

Intresting footage.
One thing I noticed, the police car flying past "on the way to an emergency", no lights or bells though, some things never change .


Chris.

[Dag-Henning]

- and no speed limits !! When were they introduced in the UK ?
Dag

[paddy]

- and no speed limits !! When were they introduced in the UK ?

Speed limits on motorways and other "derestricted" roads were introduced as a temporary measure in 1965, then permanently in 1967.

Paddy

[Dag-Henning]

OK, - that explains how Jimmy Clark could "test" the TwinCam engine in his Anglia between the Lotus "works" in London and his home in Scotland.....

Dag

[1964 S1]

...speaking of.... other than Germany, where else can a person drive a car on public roads without a speed limit today?
Eric

[Tonyw]

Eric,

Anywhere, just do not get caught.

Tony w

[1964 S1]

Hi Tony, yep, I agree, but I was wondering if there's anyplace on earth other than Germany where a person can drive as fast as they want, legally.
Eric

[Elanintheforest]

Only one place that I know of Eric, and that's the Northern Territory in Australia. You'd have to be brave though, as wandering kangeroos, camels, buffalo and loads of other big beasties don't understand traffic. When I lived in Oz in the 80s I went up there not knowing there weren't any speed limits outside the towns,and hired a Mini Moke...top speed about 60mph.

A few years later I was in Hawaii, and grabbed the opportunity to hire a big block Corvette....only to find that there was a blanket speed limit on the island of 30mph. Pah!!

Mark

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Germany's Autobahns are no longer the "Speed Merchants" dream.
They are scattered with speed limits all over the place which are usually controlled by Cameras.
The most efficient speed control is however the mass of traffic now on the roads & in particular the sleepy outside lane huggers.
Any attempt to travel at speeds anywhere above 90 MPH just results in stress with your right foot constantly jumping back & forth from the Accelerator to the Brakes.
Traveling at night is about the only way to find less traffic & a chance to up your speed.
That's if night driving is your thing.

Myth busted? well almost.

Cheers
John

[richgilb]

Ha ha what an old duffer in that Jag...anyway, I prefer this one. What a a laugh at 5 mins 20...who said Elans were for beating people on twisties?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNUiDjZs ... re=related

And in his own words.

elan-photos-f18/memories-racing-elan-portugal-t16639.html

[1964 S1]

Hi John, Yes, but still hundreds if not thousands of kilometers of unlimited speed limits on autobahns in Germany are still available.
Left lane losers? Moving chicanes! Just more fun when you're running 200kph. It's too bad the roads are so straight!
Thanks Mark.... so far, two places on earth, legally....
Montana or Wyoming almost qualified a few years ago but I guess the kabosh was put on that...
Eric

[GrUmPyBoDgEr]

Hi Rich & Eric,

firstly Rich how old are you? (rhetorical)
I remember the old BBC TV & admit that now it all seems a bit "twee" but at least they spoke proper English 'nnit.
I think I prefer the "old England" compared to today's version. Life was so much simpler.
Back then cruising at 70 MPH was fast! Slow in comparison to today's speeds but still the job got done.
In today's World everybody seems to be in so much of a rush but does the job get done any quicker (or done)?
PS Loved the Video Clip thanks!

Eric,

yes there are 1000's of unrestricted Miles on the Autobahns, fact.
Unfortunately when using them there's big difference between theory & practice.
Yes 200+ KMH is possible in many places but you need to be 200% alert & if anything happens you are automatically at fault.
It's also a matter of time before Germany also puts speed restrictions on them.

Sorry Folks, feeling a bit (old) grumpy this Morning.
Cheers
John