MKII Top Speed

[Conti]

Hello,

due to the problems with my new tires I am looking for the stated top speed of the 56/57 MK II. Actually I have not found one official document with a specified top speed for the Continental.

Some websites have specs for the MK II but there the top speed ranges from 100 mph up to 123 mph.

[jdsnoddy]

Reinhard:
The 1956 models were equipped with140 mph speedometers. Rumor has it that some customer sued because a 368 V8 would not produce enough power to ever achieve a speed of 140 therefore the 1957 speedometers only registered 120 mph. It has been said that a car did run 130 mph. No details were provided.
Personally, I think any speed beyond 110 mph in a 62+ year old car is fool hardy. A Mark II is a cruiser; not a race car. Please be safe. John

[lld]

I think Reinhard is looking for official documentation that will allow his new tires to be used based on the max published speed (some type of official document) of the car and the speed rating of the new tires. I barely feel safe at 70 MPH in an older car.

Larry

[Roger Zimmermann]

I doubt that such statement about top speed is or was existing. It was the same at GM. During the sixties, there was more concern about top speed and for export, GM had some published top speed and equipped the cars with tires compatible for the max speed.

[Conti]

@John Don?t be afraid I am a cruiser too. Even on our highways I drive not faster than 65/70 mph.

@ Larry You hit the nail on the head. My Mark is registered with a top speed of 115 mph which means I have to use "H" rated tires to be street legal - unfortunately these tires are not available. The only option I have found is an all-black 235/75R15 Kumho...not really nice and period correct.

If I can provide a document with a stated top speed of 110-112 mph I have a chance to alter the top speed in my registration which allows the use of "T" rated tires like the Auburn Premium or Galaxy / Vitour R1.

[jdsnoddy]

If any official documentation exists, Barry Wolk would have it. Barry or the Henry Ford Museum. Barry might even have a copy of the court case. John

[Graham Rollo]

IMG_20200508_0001.jpgIMG_20200508_0007.jpgIMG_20200508_0008.jpgIMG_20200508_0009.jpgIMG_20200508_0010.jpgThis might help Reinhard

[Conti]

Hello Graham,

thanks for the info but the indicated top speed in the article of 118 mph is even more than I already have in my registration (115 mph)....I have to come to or below 112 mph to legally use "T" rated tires.