anniversary : 70 years german Autobahn

Backe · 23rd September 2003, 23:57

Today the german Autobahn has its 70. birthday.
70 years ago Adolf Hitler put the foundation-stone, they told the people that its for germans and theyr cars, but it really was supposed to be a fast transport street or a runway for the army.

I love Autobahn, ok, my car isnt so fast(170kph) but driving fast without looking for police is a pleasure.

Landy · 24th September 2003, 07:47

At least Hitler did ONE good thing...

@Backe

Do you know which Autobahn was built first?
Was it Stuttgart-Munich?

Charlie · 24th September 2003, 23:37

When I was still a student, one of my jobs was private chauffeur for companies mostly. One time I was driving there Japanese business people to Germany. When driving on the German autobahn one of them goes like: "how fast are we driving now?" I was doing 160kph. At first they were a bit amazed: "but what about the police??" "What police, there's no speedlimit here!" They then wanted me to drive as fast as possible. The **** Volvo S80 would only do about 210kph sadly... But they loved it. I even got a phonecall from the MD from the company that they were complimenting me with my driving! Asking me what I did etc. Just drove over 200kph, that's all. They all had a good laugh at the office. Luckily I know those people pretty well, so I can get away with those stunts! Take care and drive safe,

Backe · 25th September 2003, 00:57

@Landy
the first Autobahn was Colone(Köln) - Bonn , today its named A 555 .
It was only 20km long and cost 8.6 million Reichs Mark. Dont know how much that would be today.
And it wasnt actually Hitler who invented them, 1932, 1 year befor he became Kanzler(president) the 1st Autobahn was build, and when he was the fuehrer(leader) he said it was his idea.

@Charlie
Does the Volvo S80 really only drive 210kph? I thought this car has a big engine?

Charlie · 25th September 2003, 09:24

It was the 2.4 version. I drove the 2.9 version in Austria and back home and that would do about 230kph. But I'm not very fond of the Volvo's, better looking then a few years ago, but FWD is not my cup of tea for so big a car. As Jeremy Clarkson once pointed out, a proper executive saloon is RWD. Sorry Audi....

de Witt · 25th September 2003, 15:44

Quote:

Originally posted by Backe
was supposed to be a fast transport street or a runway for the army.

Same deal here in America. The interstate systems' inital purpose is to be a military highway. All overpasses are at or over the minimum height for a tank on a flatbed.

Well, heres to the Autobahn