02-05-2022, 08:08 PM
I suspect that is how most Sevens were driven in their pre war day. My father ran his/mine 1940 to 1957; used to drive at 45 mph and not more than the equiv in 3rd and that was brisk for a Seven and very many others at the time. He only once took it to top speed of 50. On long trips (200 miles) he settled for 40 mph as less fatiguing. From the 1930s there has been an uninterrupted motorway style road along the shore linking Wellington with its sister city/suburb the Hutt. My father said that just post war at 45 mph was the fast lane!
Mixing it with all traffic including main road in the 1960s was different and involved flat ourt everywhere; a tootle around earlier style back roads was far more pleasant. Trucks and buses very slow on hills were common so were not in such danger in a Seven as today. Did have to perfect ultra rapid double declutch to preserve that precious momentum. The later head and an SU was a big improvemnt; within city limits it enabled 30 mph to be maintained on more grades. But the engine is more harsh and the revs less pleasant cf 1930s style driving. And the crank does not benefit.
Main roads here were quite winding into the 50s. Many corners only 30 mph or so and often at end of straights; accounted for many A40s and VWs. From 1950 to 1970 I very regularly travelled as passenger or driver in the Seven 60 miles north out of Wellington. I can still draw a map of every corner and grade and notable bump. Today all very straight and bland and hopelessly tedious at 45 mph. Here often no or no reasonably direct secondary routes.
Mixing it with all traffic including main road in the 1960s was different and involved flat ourt everywhere; a tootle around earlier style back roads was far more pleasant. Trucks and buses very slow on hills were common so were not in such danger in a Seven as today. Did have to perfect ultra rapid double declutch to preserve that precious momentum. The later head and an SU was a big improvemnt; within city limits it enabled 30 mph to be maintained on more grades. But the engine is more harsh and the revs less pleasant cf 1930s style driving. And the crank does not benefit.
Main roads here were quite winding into the 50s. Many corners only 30 mph or so and often at end of straights; accounted for many A40s and VWs. From 1950 to 1970 I very regularly travelled as passenger or driver in the Seven 60 miles north out of Wellington. I can still draw a map of every corner and grade and notable bump. Today all very straight and bland and hopelessly tedious at 45 mph. Here often no or no reasonably direct secondary routes.