Jus somethin to think about

Prior to my living in Texas, I learned that there were areas in the western part of the sate and also in other parts of the west, such as New Mexico, Nevada and Arizona, that were posted as R&P roads. This meant reasonable & proper. Under certain conditions the speed was only limited by those factors. 

Currently, the highest posted speed limit in the country is 85 mph (137 km/h) and can be found only on Texas State Highway 130, a toll road that bypasses the Austin metropolitan area for long-distance traffic. 

This post regarding high speed limits around the world has prompted me to announce the following:

In response to "emotive feedback" from past Forum Quiz participants regarding the somewhat "relaxed" 0 to 60 ET of our *first 1 HP Trabant SS Demi-coupe on high speed expressways (and the rising cost of oats and farriers),  JK and I have an exciting 2025-26 Forum Quiz Prize announcement!  We have embarked upon two...YES TWO... exciting new Series Deux Trabant SS Coupe projects for future prize consideration.  These two projects are now shortlisted for final prize confirmation, affected to an almost negligible degree upon R&D costs.  The first proposal, code named **Trabant Rocket 888, is entirely contemporary high performance oriented, while the second one, code named ***BN Special Trabant SS Coupe, powered by avian effluent, is more nature focused and operationally cost friendly, at the limited expense of performance numbers.  I hope I haven't said too much here JK but I thought it only fair to prepare the crowds of future participants, so that they may save up funds, as it has been decided that raffle ticket sales will be the new marketing direction this year.  To heighten participant excitement we may not even disclose which of the two options will have been chosen! Amazing times ahead!

*

** Rocket 888

***BN (bird nest) Special (pic 2 "catching air" at testing grounds).

Not entirely true about Germany, according to my latest info.
Although on some highways  the top speed is seemingly unlimited, on other roads it is really not, where the Polizei controls with a strong hand.

And, as one will probably not know, on the unlimited-speed-roads there's no insurance coverage.  

...perfect timing John.   Once my new Yugo arrives, seeking out those areas that mandate lower speed limits will be essential!  

@chris 

Much nicer departure from the older version!

Posted by: @jack-dodds

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This post regarding high speed limits around the world has prompted me to announce the following:

In response to "emotive feedback" from past Forum Quiz participants regarding the somewhat "relaxed" 0 to 60 ET of our *first 1 HP Trabant SS Demi-coupe on high speed expressways (and the rising cost of oats and farriers),  JK and I have an exciting 2025-26 Forum Quiz Prize announcement!  We have embarked upon two...YES TWO... exciting new Series Deux Trabant SS Coupe projects for future prize consideration.  These two projects are now shortlisted for final prize confirmation, affected to an almost negligible degree upon R&D costs.  The first proposal, code named **Trabant Rocket 888, is entirely contemporary high performance oriented, while the second one, code named ***BN Special Trabant SS Coupe, powered by avian effluent, is more nature focused and operationally cost friendly, at the limited expense of performance numbers.  I hope I haven't said too much here JK but I thought it only fair to prepare the crowds of future participants, so that they may save up funds, as it has been decided that raffle ticket sales will be the new marketing direction this year.  To heighten participant excitement we may not even disclose which of the two options will have been chosen! Amazing times ahead!

*

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** Rocket 888

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***BN (bird nest) Special (pic 2 "catching air" at testing grounds).

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However, although I understand the reasoning in terms of performance and running cost issues, I confess I am not entirely convinced by these proposed offerings. The Rocket 888 is both technically and aesthetically impressive, but I would venture to suggest it is not entirely faithful to the HDT design ethos, the equine element being notably absent.

The other one is strictly for the birds.

Personally, as a person of mature tastes, I would be more in favour of something which combines added performance with an air of relaxed luxury and refinement. Something along these lines . . .

Obviously that would be a more expensive option in terms of initial outlay and operating costs, but that wouldn't bother me because, as you may recall, I expect to be fabulously rich any day now.

Admittedly this windfall has been a little slower to materialise than initially hoped. Apparently Nigerian Customs are being a little "sticky" about such large sums of money leaving the country, so I thought it might be a smart move to wire Mavis £10,000 so that she can grease some palms (an administrative concept with which our esteemed Committee will be entirely familiar).

Once that little difficulty is resolved I would be in a position to assist with your R&D funding requirements for the 8-horse HDT, although I would not expect those costs to be excessive because apart from fitting higher-rated tyres and longer reins and shafts, and additional onboard feed storage, the basic design features would be largely unchanged from the original.

@chris Nice!  Look at yugo Chris!

Thank you so much for your quick response to our prize announcement Graeme; your excitement is palpable and not surprising given our amazing offerings.  Regarding your 8-fold HP suggestion, you may be surprised to learn that our engineering/stable division had already tested this concept (code named Project Mogiddyup) last year.  Unfortunately testing on the high speed oval yielded two significant problems; extreme handling issues at high speed due to "power plant discharge" causing lack of  tire traction and secondly, driver disorientation due to the increased "power plant" relief valve odorfrous emissions.  Sadly, even with the deletion of molasses in the oat feed and adding driver goggles  to avoid watery eyes, the improvements were insufficient to warrant further development.

We are very excited, almost giddy, to hear of your pending financial windfall Graeme; it is amazing....I mean, what are the odds?  Being the hopeless romantics that we are here, it is our "team dream" that when Mavis arrives from Nigeria on your doorstep, prize money in hand, that Jimmy Page-style riffs play on your heartstrings and love blossoms in the GMT.  You are a lucky man Graeme and we are overcome with genuine joy for you....a joy that is not affected or prompted by your generous offer of future financing of our Trabant Performance Program... which we of course respectfully feel obliged to accept.  Stay in touch!

I thank you and the Committee for your good wishes.

I was however a little disappointed at your rejection of the 8-horse variant without further testing. The shortcomings you encountered could be alleviated with fatter tyres (for the traction problem) and an elevated seating position to raise the driver above the low-level pollutants.

Very simple remedies, and I suspect your dismissal of my concept may be at least partly attributed to the "Not Invented Here" syndrome. I may be forced to take my proposal to a certain Mr Musk, who is known to be receptive to innovative ideas and is willing to throw money at them (Not that I NEED his money, of course, since I will very soon be even richer than him).

@graeme-ogg When we tried to convince our test driver to reconsider he threatened to resign and as he was the only applicant we had  in the first instance (surprising, I know) we went with his wishes.  It's hard to find chuck wagon drivers who want to live on the edge and advance to the high speed test environment.  Good luck taking your 8 HP concept forward; it's not without merit....in fact for some it may be a "musk see".