Why did cars in 70s and 80s TV and movies slide like they were driving on ice?
In most 70s and 80s TV shows and movies, car chases especially when involving police cars were shown to slide sideways excessively even when driving at relatively slow speeds when going round corners.
Did car tires during this time have very low grip, or was this done just for dramatic effect?
Best Answer
North American car design of that era was geared toward a smooth ride in a straight line (Interstate highway) while European cars were made for handling twisting, turning roads. Think Daytona 500 vs. European rally racing.
Radial tyres had not saturated the North American market. Bias-ply tyres (with less cornering traction) were still prevalent throughout the 1970s and into the 1980s.
Electronic traction control was non-existent. Even anti-sway bars that provided a mechanical advantage to the roll experienced in a sharp corner were considered a racing accessory.
Stunt drivers would often oversteer a vehicle causing the rear to lose traction and swing out on a corner. This ‘fish-tail’ maneuver would provide the illusion of speed. This driving exercice is not isolated to the 1970-80s; I am still amazed at how slow many chase vehicles are traveling yet still manage to skid their rear wheels out in a basic cornering maneuver then over-correct as the rear wheels swing back. At least most movies have budgets that can hire stunt drivers who can perform a controlled drift properly.
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