This is a bit open-ended, as I do not have a list of answers at hand; thought those interested might work thru it.

I would be interested to learn Year/Model of U.S. cars that 'upped' the speedo maximum. IE: what was the first factory speedo to read to :

100 MPH :

120 MPH :

140 MPH :

150 MPH :

160 MPH :

180 MPH :

200 MPH :

100 might be tough- we might be going back pretty far.

If there are 'interum' numbers (EX: 130 MPH), and anyone who cares to toss in foreign speedos, go ahead.

I do have the 200 MPH answer, I believe- it was surprising enough to me to inspire this topic.

We can deal with production vs. 'specials' as they arise.

Have at it!

How about when the maximum in most US cars went down to 85? And when it went back above? Those would be interesting also.

As far as 100, how about the Buick Century? Didn't it get it's name be being able to hit 100? Sometime in the 30s, I think?>

Edited September 8, 200816 yr by moltar

I know the 57/58 Plymouth Furys had a 150mph speedo, it wasn't the first though....

The 1955 Chrysler C300 was a 150mph speedo too.....

Edited September 8, 200816 yr by CMG

1957 DeSoto Adventurer had a 150 speedo and an underdash record player, hard combination to beat!

Random but verified --

'53 Corvette had a 140, was up to 160 at least as early as '59.

'63-64 Avanti had a 140.

'65 Corvair Corsa had a 140.

'36 Auburn speedster had a 140.

'36 Cord 810 had a 150.

Duesenbergs also had a 150.

'63 Studebaker Lark Daytona had a 160.

'65 Shelby CObra 427 had a 180.

'60 Chrysler 300-F Specials had a 200.

1969 Corvette Stingray L88 - 170 mph

Also, old men shouldn't wear speedos.

Forced induction Duesenbergs had the capability of 160mph, almost 4 decades

prior to the advent of radial tires on production cars, amazing to think, when

you consider the amount of cars on the road incapable of 40mph, when an SJ

Duesy could accomplish 4 times that.

The 1980s political correctness of 80 or 85 MPH max was stupid...

Forced induction Duesenbergs had the capability of 160mph, almost 4 decades

prior to the advent of radial tires on production cars, amazing to think, when

you consider the amount of cars on the road incapable of 40mph, when an SJ

Duesy could accomplish 4 times that.

The 1980s political correctness of 80 or 85 MPH max was stupid...

Actually the 85 max began in the late 70's, at least with the new downsized B-bodies in '77. Both my 78 and 79 Olds' have 85 MPH speedo's while the 76's still went to 120 I believe.

The 1980s political correctness of 80 or 85 MPH max was stupid...

Of course, with a carbureted 231 V6 in a '77 Olds 88, it was fairly realistic.

(or am I misremembering the diesel here?)

Ahhh... the mighty 5.7 Diesel-Rocket.