History Channel's coverage of The Autobahn's history
12-30-2002, 12:29 PM
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History Channel's coverage of The Autobahn's history
Saw the History of the Autobahn yesterday on the History Channel. As usual, Alois Ruf goes to work on a factory 996 TTurbo, pumps out 500+ HP and takes the car up to 212 MPH...on the autobahn! The
show was very comprehensive, and discussed how the autobahn was conceived by Adolf's buddies at the Gestapo during preparations for the attack on Poland and the rest of Europe (Hurry up! Step on the gas! We need to attack Russia!!!!!), how the germans continue to drive fast on the 26 inch thick tarmac (that's a sh*tload of asphalt!), and why their highway fatality rate is still lower than that of the United States'. Those of you who watch the show and live here in the US will understand why we will never be able to drive like the Germans do. Driving is a totally different discipline in Germany. It's almost like a religion.
show was very comprehensive, and discussed how the autobahn was conceived by Adolf's buddies at the Gestapo during preparations for the attack on Poland and the rest of Europe (Hurry up! Step on the gas! We need to attack Russia!!!!!), how the germans continue to drive fast on the 26 inch thick tarmac (that's a sh*tload of asphalt!), and why their highway fatality rate is still lower than that of the United States'. Those of you who watch the show and live here in the US will understand why we will never be able to drive like the Germans do. Driving is a totally different discipline in Germany. It's almost like a religion.
12-30-2002, 01:03 PM
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I saw and loved that show, too 
I had the added perspective of my wife during the show....she once lived in Germany for about 10 years.
yep, I'm jealous of those folks
I had the added perspective of my wife during the show....she once lived in Germany for about 10 years.
yep, I'm jealous of those folks
12-30-2002, 02:22 PM
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Because of the line of business we're in, we frequently drive in Germany and even though I haven't seen the program, but only read the comments, I believe you have to take this with a grain of salt.
First of all, less than 2% of the German roads has no speed limit. On all other roads they have wide range of fixed and mobile speed traps.
The speed limit is restricted when it rains and for those that don't know, Germany isn't California.
Also, during the day time there is a lot traffic on the highways and there are usually a lot of traffic jams during rush hours.
Most of the German highways only have 2 lanes and are crowded with lorries trying to overtake each other -even though they are all restricted to the same speed... .
If all goes well, you can drive fast for a while.
Just don't expect an open road from North to South
First of all, less than 2% of the German roads has no speed limit. On all other roads they have wide range of fixed and mobile speed traps.
The speed limit is restricted when it rains and for those that don't know, Germany isn't California.
Also, during the day time there is a lot traffic on the highways and there are usually a lot of traffic jams during rush hours.
Most of the German highways only have 2 lanes and are crowded with lorries trying to overtake each other -even though they are all restricted to the same speed... .
If all goes well, you can drive fast for a while.
Just don't expect an open road from North to South
12-30-2002, 02:46 PM
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Indeed, Gert.
In the show, Mr. Ruf took the car for it's high speed run at midnight....hardly any traffic then.
In addition to the high speeds, the show also went into detail on contruction, maintenance, and the extensive monitoring (camera, sensors) of the Autobahn. All was quite impressive.
In the show, Mr. Ruf took the car for it's high speed run at midnight....hardly any traffic then.
In addition to the high speeds, the show also went into detail on contruction, maintenance, and the extensive monitoring (camera, sensors) of the Autobahn. All was quite impressive.
