Why is 0 to 60 important?

[EdP]

Remember Mechanix Illustrated? I was an avid reader as a teenager.

Who Invented 0–60 MPH? Why, It Was Tom McCahill, Of Course

Almost seven decades after McCahill invented the 0–60 MPH standard, it remains a benchmark number for automakers and the public alike.

www.motortrend.com

Fifty years after Tom McCahill invented "zero to 60," it remains the road-test's benchmark number. Simple to understand, easy to compare, McCahill's 0-to-60-mph yardstick captured the public's imagination. Bolstered by frequent use in automotive advertising, nought-to-sixty took on a significance way beyond its true value. Nobody cared about other figures. Forget quarter-mile times, esoteric 45-to-65-mph passing numbers; only top speed gets close to resonating with enthusiasts in the same way.

 

[pmckechnie]

EdP, 60 to70 years ago, 60 mph was used on highways for drag-racing because the police would not give us a speeding ticket. Some times we would drag-race with the police (I would let them win). When you could go down a 4 lane highway and not see another car for quite a time.
Now, this was down in the Carolina , out of any towns or heavy traffic.

 

[EdP]

EdP, 60 to70 years ago, 60 mph was used on highways for drag-racing because the police would not give us a speeding ticket. Some times we would drag-race with the police (I would let them win). When you could go down a 4 lane highway and not see another car for quite a time.
Now, this was down in the Carolina , out of any towns or heavy traffic.

Grew up in Philadelphia and never had that luxury. Even on an empty road in the industrial park the cops would hassle us. Was not a lot of highway. You guys were fortunate.

 

[Speeder]

Grew up in Philadelphia and never had that luxury. Even on an empty road in the industrial park the cops would hassle us. Was not a lot of highway. You guys were fortunate.

Delaware Avenue?

 

[EdP]

Delaware Avenue?

Delaware Ave back then had too many brick areas and train tracks. I95 was just started to be built.

Back of North Philly airport near Grant Ave. My friend's brother was not racing but took off down the road in his '56 Chevy full speed. Cop at the other end tried to stop him but he took off and they came by us so we scattered. Bill tried to squeeze between a turning car and parked car. Lost his license so he joined the Air Force.

 

[tarhoosier]

Indianapolis, 1965. City full of flat straight streets. Perfect for timed acceleration. Very early on a Sunday morning Dave Atkinson gave it all the beans on Meridian near downtown. No cars around and green lights ahead.
Ticket was for 92 in a 25 zone. Biggest I ever knew of.