Re: IML: Original Brakes

[RandalPark@xxxxxxx]

The Imperials of the 50's and 60's were not built in a time when speeds were a fraction of what they are today. Stopping distances weren't all that different either. Converting Imperial brakes to something other than what they came with is more a matter of preference than safety. 

I grew up in Southern California, and traffic was every bit as bad in the late 50's there, as it is most other places today. 80 mph was totally normal on freeways where the traffic would permit it. The 55 mph speed limit was not installed until the middle 1970's.

Safety is not a matter of how fast you can stop your car, but rather of how the driver adapts to the road and the vehicle. If having better brakes establishes a false sense of security, then they are not safe at all. The driver is obligated and responsible to be sure that his vehicle is maintained to the manufacturer's specifications 100%, particularly in the area of safety, such as the condition of the brakes, tires, suspension, etc. The rest of the responsibility is to adjust driving to suit conditions.


Paul W.


 In an email dated 25/7/2005 10:52:33 pm GMT Daylight time, Longramx2@xxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:

> Older imperials were designed for a time when road traffic and speeds were 
>only a fraction of what they are today, so I totally agree with any upgrades to 
>the drivability of our cars. ?Great stopping power certainly does'nt detract 
>from the personality of an older car, and once the hub caps go back on the 
>only way to tell ?the car has disk brakes is to look for the confident and 
>relaxed look on the drivers face, as opposed to the nervous frightened look on the 
>100% original drivers face. I speak from experience my daily driver is a 66 
>valiant wagon and I cant count the number of times nearly ran over somebody, 
>before converting, back then the car was'nt nearly as enjoyable because of the 
>constant fear of accidents and having to be so careful all the time. I was 
>seriosly considering selling it thinking it just was'nt practical for modern 
>traffic, now I just drive the thing ?like everybody else drives their daily and dont 
>worry bout a thing.I also live in an old house that originally came with an 
>out house but now has an inside bathroom and I certainly aint going back to 
>original on that either ! if that helps to explain my point of veiw on the matter.
>


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