We have very advanced automotive technology like AWD these days to allow us to go off-road, but clearly not all cars can go off-road; how come in old movies you see old cars driving on dirt roads all the time?

Question

Is this just a movie thing? Aside from the lack of comfort, how well did old cars drive on dirt roads, which presumably were everywhere? I can’t imagine they got good traction on those thin wheels, or even produce enough power to push through a bumpy hill, so I’m wondering if there’s something I’m missing here?

In: Technology

Answer 1

My bog standard, 2WD MPV is perfectly fine driving on a field, or down a crappy dirt track.

It can’t handle large rocks/bumps, very steep gradients, deep/very slippery mud e.t.c – and neither could these “old time” cars.