Cruising speed

[cloud]

Having never driven a morris minor (yet) can they cruise at 65mph? Mine is a 58 and will not be on the road for a month or so (depending how much time I have to work on it). It is completely stock with no upgrades to the engine or brakes. It seems like 65 might be asking too much from it which is OK as I can drive everywhere using side roads at 45mph.
I have updated my personal info with a picture of my other 1958 car and my location. If anyone has a Minor in my area please let me know I would like to see it sometime.
Thanks,
Martin

[kas279n]

I don't see why not, mine happily does 70 up and down the motorway in the uk. She's a 1965 minor which has upgraded brakes but a standard engine.

[bmcecosse]

If it has the standard 948cc engine - then 'cruising' at 65 may be pushing it slightly! Revs will be quite high - tiresome noise levels. It will DO 65 - not sure about cruising - which suggests gently wafting along........... The later 1098 cars have much more torque and are able to pull the higher geared final drive ratio rather better.

[mike.perry]

I don't think that you will find it quite so relaxing as the Rolls Royce but perhaps a little more economical on gas!! Is 65mph a minimum speed on Freeways? If you drop a 1275 MG Midget engine into a Minor you will have no problems.

[morrisman1]

if you have the 4.22:1 diff and 14" wheels then yes,

if you have the 4.55:1 diff and/or 13" wheels then no. Your revs will be around 3800-4000 at 60mph so over 4k at 65mph which is a little uncomfortable for the old girls.

Mine i cruise at just over 60mph as thats when the diff stops whining!!! Ive got a 4.22:1 and they are damn impossible to get replacements here in New Zealand.

My one currently in the making has a overdrive 5 speed gearbox and 3.9:1 Datsun differential behind a hot datsun a15 with EFI so it will probably 'cruise' at 100mph!