MPSG, I'm with you on this one. In NZ in the 60's - 70's, we used to run Wellington to Auckland (~(600km) on long open but often winding roads, at speeds of up to or even over 160kmh, often for long periods at a time, not just quick passing bursts, and often at night, in any one of our Jaguar, a Jowett Javelin, and two Vauxhalls.
I recall sitting for ages at night in our Jaguar at a sustained 140kmh on the Desert Road, all my passengers fast asleep, then being passed at well over 180kmh by a Rover 2000 with all its passengers asleep too. We exchanged places quite a few times that night and had a nice comradely drive together for most of the trip, using each others lights to extend our view of the road ahead.
All but the Jaguar were on cross-ply tyres. Only the Jaguar and one of the Vauxhalls had disc brakes. All had stock lighting plus, maybe, spotlights, but no halogen globes. None had ABS, DSC, TC, airbags, etc. Two of the cars had no radio or outside mirrors!! With our first Vauxhall, carpets were optional, as were radio, exterior mirrors, and windscreen washer.
We'd often pass police at high speed, but if you were driving safely, you invariably waved, they waved back and left you alone. If you were doing something really dumb, they'd pull you over.
CP_e Standback & PNP; CP_e 3" SS Downpipe; Corksport FMIC with Top-mount K&N filter & OEM Ram CAI; Turbosmart BOV; Dashhawk; Prosport Boost Guage; JBR solid shift bushes; DBA 4000 Wiper-Slot front rotors; Hawk Ferro-Carbon HPS Street front brake pads (@ 69,000km); Sumitomo HTRZIII's in 225/45 x 18