How young/old were you when you learned that air flow effects efficiency

[freebeard]

My first ride ever in a VW was a new '58 at the coast on a summer day. It was Coral Red and the sunroof was open.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by MorphDaCivic

When I was 4 years old and the family took a trip to Florida in a 1958 VW Beetle. Dad strapped a rack to the roof which held 2 suitcases. The top speed dropped from 60 MPH to 45 MPH. The exception was only when he could draft behind a truck, then the top speed was whatever the truck was doing.

And nowadays some folks who enjoy the "rat-look" carry empty suitcases, wood crates and random garbage on roof racks just for the looks. I really don't understand why, since it doesn't look actually cool and decrease both performance and fuel-efficiency.

Learned about aerodynamic drag, under powered cars (36 HP), and diesel fumes all on the same trip!

Nowadays 36hp would feel underpowered even for my 3rd-world standards, but anyway, I guess that trip might have been quite cool for a 4 years-old.

[johnny77]

When I was about 8 leaning down on bike made it coast off the hill faster I love fast.