Factory top speeds for 1500 and 1500S engines

[George Kehler]

Does anyone know the factory top speeds for the 1500 and 1500S engines ??

[Ron LaDow]

See here:
https://www.automobile-catalog.com/make ... /1961.html
This states a factory claim of top speed for a 1600 coupe at 99MPH.
A couple of 1720-kitted C coupes I've owned have bested 100MPH by a bit (according to the speedo), but never by much.
Random claims of '100 MPH' should be treated like random claims of '100HP" from 616 engines.

[Martin Benade]

I thought the factory said a 1600S coupe was good for 109 mph.

[John Brooks]

I am pretty sure that in the early fifties it was 80 MPH for the N and 88 MPH for the S. I remember this also in a from a promotional movie. Not much difference but it was 10% improvement in HP and top speed for the super.

[George Kehler]

Thanks so much for the info.

[Alan Hall]

Took a look at top speed stated in a few period road tests with 1500cc engines.
Auto 1/53 (527 engine, 60hp) - 92.5mph,
Modern Mechanics 7/53 (527 engine, 60hp) - 94.2mph,
Speed Age 5/53 (super engine, 70hp) - 111.2mph,
Road and Track 11/52 (527 engine, 60hp) - 104.6mph,
Auto Sport Review 4/53 (normal engine?, 55hp) - 103mph

I would take all these with some skepticism, but I think it would indicate a Normal would have a top speed slightly under 100mph (say 95) and a Super just over 100mph (say 105).

[Alan Hall]

Just checked the 1954 pre-a shop manual. The factory lists top speed for a 1500 Normal at 96mph and a 1500 Super at 105mph.

[George Kehler]

Great info !! What a fabulous group for minute details .....

[Martin Benade]

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I know the question was about 1500 engines, but here is the 1600 factory info from the 1963 owner's manual.

[Jules Dielen]

The difference is the 500rpm higher redline for the super. i have a '52 1500S in 'bone stock' format... it gets a little scary at 80mph... maybe Evil Knievel would dare to speed up to 105mph on 5.00 x 16 bias ply tires and skinny 230mm VW brake drums, not me. The 1600S A feels 'planted' in comparison.

[Doug McDonnell]

My old 65 SC with 1720 kit and airport gears would max out about 105MPH on the straight away at Grattan in my youth

[Martin Benade]

Was it at redline? And clocked accurately I assume?

[Doug McDonnell]

Of course not Martin. Drivers Ed day, seat of pants, speedometer reading. Car had been built as a short track racer by a Chicago member but was still street legal. Boxed A arms etc. Told it was "airport gears" never knew ratios. Eventually sold to a DC area guy who Vintage Raced it and wrecked it. Vic inspected it for the purchaser but doubt he ever calculated gear ratios. Over 20 years ago so doubt he even remembers the car but with his mind he might remember everything.

[Vic Skirmants]

Tell me more.

[Doug McDonnell]

65 SC Slate grey. Might have been bought by Ron Anthony? To Vintage race? 12 volt via Zenner diode board in front compartment. Boxed front A arms. Probably about 1997 or there about. I drove it over and you did a PPI-you had notes from buyer and called him after while I was still there.