Modern Roads Vs 1930s Roads

[AlanBartlett]

Driving around today solving a fuel pump problem, got me thinking there are so many blasted pot holes about, were roads of the 1930s as I'm imagining dirt tracks or were there some sort of tarmac type layer? I try to avoid as many as I can but sometimes when you hit one makes you think blimey how am I still on the road. I mean the suspension damper are not exactly brilliant or could they be better?

[paul wilks]

I do agree Alan. Horrendous on the suspension but not just on pre-war but on my Javelin. I try to avoid the potholes too but sometimes you just can't. And those are the times I think "hell, something must have broken". Visiting and returning from seeing Ian Dearie, a Jowetteer of renown, on Wednesday (round trip 80 miles) the number of times I hit potholes was ridiculous. Of course last years weather wouldn't have helped, plus the cut-backs in expenditure on road maintenance by local authorities. Makes you wonder about driving surfaces in the past though doesn't it.

Good luck for Car of the Year. Loads of my friends and relatives have voted for you!

Paul

[george garside]

looking at old photos etc most main roads in the 30's were tarmac but some minor roads were not.Also there was a lot of cobble stone and granit sets in towns and they persisted well into the '50's in some places particularly on tram routes.

In the twenties there were still lots of 'unsurfaced' main roads.

In respect of most pre war cars (not just Jowetts) it is important to remember that the flexibility of the chassis efectively formed partof the suspension system and that 'strange girations' when hitting potholes, bumps setc were considered perfectly normal & acceptable along with cruising speeds ranging from 25 to 45 mph depending on the vehicle and the terain. There was also a great deal more slowing for corners as even main roads followed torturous paths through villaages etc .There were also many vehicles from the twenties still running happily without benefite of dampers.another feature of many pre war cars was a more or less constant for and aft pitching on anything but the smoothest roads , Austin tens being particularly good at this. Jowetts were not badly afflicted by this disease.

Prewar cars running on todays roads must think they are in heaven even if the owners don't!

george

[Keith Clements]

Estonia is a bit like that!