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

There’s a big difference between a dirt road and “off-road.” Dirt roads are leveled and cleared of rocks and can be maintained by being smoothed out to prevent ruts forming. The roads are often in a path that has natural good drainage, not necessarily the shortest route. The early development of the automobile actually coincided with the “Good Roads Movement” that tried to improve roads, often with better maintenance of dirt roads rather than with expensive paving.

The safe driving speed on a dirt road is lower. Cars also used to break down a lot more than they do now, and especially so on bad roads.