Measuring the maximum speed in the early seventies
In the 1970s, GPS-based speed measurements were not yet available; at that time, the so-called Peiseler wheel was used. It was "strapped" to the back of the vehicle as a fifth wheel and provided reliable speed readings.
However, recording measured values was only part of the problem. First of all, a suitable route had to be found that was long enough, not too high above sea level (risk of power loss) and free of traffic. Empty highways in southern Germany seemed suitable for this and so some speed tests were carried out in the Basel-Freiburg area. One factor that was difficult to influence was the weather. When the Autombilrevue "tester" wanted to measure the Ferrari Dino 246 GT at Christmas time in 1970, it already smelled of snow! And as soon as the first measurement results were available, it actually started to snow. With summer tires and increasingly slippery roads, continuing the measurements was out of the question and the top priority was to get the car home safely. Thankfully, however, the measurement results obtained were sufficient for the test, which of course took place on time.
