Finally, a great video about Fluid Drive. This fellow truly knows the subject, and he has the ability to express his knowledge clearly and logically. I have watched many videos on Chrysler transmissions, and this one is far and away the best. I am a retired school teacher, and I give this man an A+++. I will be checking out his other offerings.
@@garrybreitstein3593 Thanks for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Many folks haven’t even heard of Fluid Drive or even realize their car is equipped with it! It’s a neat part of automotive history.
@@ObsoleteAutomotive Hello again Mr. A+++.....yes, these old transmissions are very interesting to me. I would like to share that I am 77 years old at this moment, and my first car memory is when my father bought a cute 1954 Plymouth Belvedere which was blessed with HyDrive. I think the HyDrive was a keen idea, but my father had a hard time with it, because about once per year an O ring would fail and all the oil would come out and it cost a lot of money to fix that. Also, we took that car on a couple of road trips and it did not have enough power to safely pass vehicles on a two lane highway. I don't know if that was because of the HyDrive or just because it was a small engine. My father was not very well off, financially, so it was a big deal. He traded it in for a new 1958 Dodge with a V8 and Torqueflite and that was a world of difference. Technology was really moving fast back in the 50's. The 58 Dodge was pretty bullet proof and we kept it a long time. Again, it is wonderful to encounter a person, on the internet, with your intelligence and personality.
@@garrybreitstein3593 consider yourself fortunate that it was a ‘58 that your dad bought new and not a ‘57, as the ‘57s had a LOT of problems due to rushed production, which were corrected the following year.
GREAT video. Long story short, in about a month, I'm going to start driving a 1946 Dodge Custom with Fluid Drive extensively, and I was kinda unclear how this all worked. Now...I'm ready. Thanks!
We had a (used) 1953 Dodge with semi-automatic from 1960-64. I remember riding in it and watching it being driven. I remember on relatively flat roads my folks started in second and went to third, rarely using first. Back in those days most who learned to drive knew how to drive sticks. Nowadays, it's rare. I loved having 3 on the tree - wish they'd bring it back, but those days are over.
This is so cool... love antiques and can imagine how this type of transmission was received- particularly postwar when people en masse started buying cars. There wasn't an interstate system as yet so longer road trips through every town along the way involved a lot of starting and stopping.
Many thanks for clarifying how these worked. The Tech the Puppet technician training slideshows helped, but didn’t show the actual live footage of these in operation.
Austin, you did a good job with this. Thank you. I have a '48 Chrysler Windsor which of course has the four speed Fluid-Drive employing under drive gears. That's the system that almost no one can describe correctly or drive correctly either. So, I'm wishing you the best for the upcoming video on that version.
@@discerningmind Hope to get one of the “semi-auto” versions in the future at some point! I had a ‘49 Chrysler with straight 8 and fluid drive and it was a nice cruising car!
I thought the fluid drive was a great transition from manual to full auto transmissions. I'm familiar with the 49 DeSoto with the " Tip-Toe" fluid drive semi-auto transmission. Also known as the clunk-O-matic. With the 2 high and 2 low gears. Only needing the clutch to go from low to high and reverse. A very fun car to drive. Thanks for the video. You don't see alot of the late 40s car videos.
Very interesting. My father learned to drive in the late forties and well into the sixties he had an annoying habit of lifting off the gas between gears.in an automatic car. Any make of automatic car. He had a Rocket 88 a 1954. My mom bought a 54 Chevy new at the dealer. They gave out plastic models of the car you bought in the same color with a slot on top to use as a coin bank. She had a three speed on the column. I believe she opted for white walls. We cleaned the whitewalls with Brillo pads back in the those days. She had the wide white walls not the later sixties thin white walls. Now before seat belts or any thought of safety anything if it looked like we were going to have an accident my fathers arm would fly out to retain me on the bench seat. He did it instinctively and automatically. Not that it would not have done any good but everyone did that. My father would let off the gas between first to second shift. So the car would just get going and then he'd let off. Somehow it would find its way into second. But we'd always loose some momentum for no discernible reason. My moms car was a "two tone" as they called it then. The roof was white or a cram color and the body was non metal flake brown. My father went on to have a 56 Dodge Coronet I think convertible with the V8. A 59 Lincoln. A 63 Lincoln, A 57 Coupe DeVille in bronze with the wonderbar radio. Thereafter it was Mercury station wagons. The last being a Colony Park with a 429. It had been preceded by a 67 Colony Park with a 390. I had a 1968 GT 500 Shelby convertible in green and then a 1966 GT 350 white with the blue stripe. A 59 TR3 ..........etc.
Service on fluid drive is different also they use hydraulic oil (20 w ) i work on a few of these pretty reliable just keep relays and switches in check awesome video thanks for posting
Excellent informative video, Austin. Note that this Dodge has a center mounted stoplight, which was way ahead of its time. As I recall, all MoPars of this era were so equipped.
@@phillipcramer7936 Yes you can see a video of this car on my channel for more in depth overview of this ‘47 Dodge. What most folks don’t know is that the center brake light is actually the ONLY brake light. The left and right lights are turn signals (if so equipped) or running lights only. But on this car a person added auxiliary lights on each side to come on with the brake light so you get three with more visibility.
Good video, explains the operation of fluid drive very simply. I do have a question though.......since you do have that fluid coupling, can you shift from 1st to 2nd, and 2nd to 3rd, by simply letting up on the gas and shifting without pressing on the clutch? (This would be similar to driving a car equipped with a Borg-Warner overdrive, where, because of the freewheeling of the OD unit, you can shift from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd without the clutch......just letting off the gas and shifting a little slower.) I know it wouldn't be recommended from the factory to do this, but can it be done?
@@r1lark The B-W OD units have a freewheeling clutch which essentially disconnects the engine from the the transmission. So then you freewheel when you let off the accelerator. This allows for the auto shifting of the OD. And in turn makes it easier to shift without the clutch since there’s no engine torque on the gears. The fluid drive unit when driving is essentially making a fully connected engine and trans via hydraulic fluid. The clutch would still be necessary to take torque off the gears and shift. Though shifting without a clutch is generally feasible for any vehicle by matching engine speed and shifting when appropriate. The only time the fluid drive free wheels is when stopped at idle and the hydraulic connection is lost.
Having owned a beutiful '46 Dodge for many years, you have to remember that with the fluid coupling it will NOT hold in gear--you have to use the parking brake every time you park
@@440gtxblewbyyoumopar9 Plymouth never got this setup. Closest they got was the Hydrive in 1953/1954 which functioned a little differently. Thanks for watching!
Hi Austin - as always, "interesting, informative and entertaining!" My dad taught me how to drive in a 3 speed manual 1954 Plymouth and I had a 1950 Dodge Meadowbrook fluid drive in college. ngl i never did get the hang of driving it smoothly. i bought a new 1963 Dodge 330 after college - my first automatic transmission! I still miss the push buttons on the dash. i love your videos 👍🏼.
Great video! Good explanation about Chrysler’s fluid drive options! Most people drive the Fluid Torque Drive, and cousins, incorrectly and even post videos doing so.
Finally! This crucial information has finally been shared and taken out of the shadows of the ancient, obsolete operation of equipments also ancient and obsolete. Octogenarians rejoice! Hopefully, this will curtail the brake checking, swerving, no mirrored lane changing, drag racing Parsons and librarians.
Fluid drive was also used in industrial applications. One of my first employers had a Chrysler powered forklift with fluid drive, the fluid drive made forklift work a lot easier and saved a ton of wear on the clutch. Chrysler flatheads were very popular industrial engines and powered just about every kind of machine you can imagine.
@@danielstickney2400 They used flatheads in industrial uses way past when they ceased use in cars. Airport tugs, generators, pumps, etc. They were easy to work on and maintain and would go a long ways!
Good demonstration. To be clear you must use the clutch whenever you shift to any gear other than the one you are currently in. As a side note, all vehicles EXCEPT Plymouth in Chrysler's line up after WW II had Fluid Drive. Desotos and Chryslers had the semi-automatic 4-speed Fluid Drive. Thanks for a great demonstration.
On the Chrysler car line, the four speed Semi Automatics in 1951-52 had a fluid coupling or an optional Torque converter model, which was standard in the Crown Imperial. It was optional and pretty rare on the other V8 models. The column was marked either "Fluid Drive" or "Fluid Torque Drive." They specify a different frame depending which version you had. Fun fact. Chrysler had a special fluid for the Fluid Coupling. They were a bit secretive about the ingredients because it was mostly whale oil. On the plain "Fluid Drive", you filled the gear box separately from the fluid coupling and they did not share fluid. I suspect transmission fluid or a 0-10 weight modern motor oil would suffice for fluid coupling today.
Shifting from 2nd to 3rd that way can cause you to jam the trans into 2 gears at once. To shift from 1st to 2nd, you are supposed to move the shifter straight up into Neutral, then straight up into 2nd. Also, on level ground, you can take off in 2nd. Try it
@@jamesbosworth4191 I have NEVER had a transmission try to jam into two gears at once and I’ve driven stick cars thousands and thousands of miles. It’s pretty much impossible to do. Though I’ve seen worn out linkage bind up causing the shift lever to get stuck but that’s just due to bad tolerances. Shifting from 2nd and 3rd in what way? You literally only can shift one way… moving the lever down to 3rd… Also, when you shift to any gear you automatically go into neutral to get to that gear. There’s no other way to go… not sure what you’re even trying to say. Unless you’re trying to reference double clutching? Technically you can start off in any gear if you want. And in this car even more so. No riding the clutch… in this one. You put it in any gear and just drive. Hills and such dictate how fast you’ll accelerate.
@@ObsoleteAutomotive When you were shifting OUT of 1st, you were trying to push the shift toward the dash, as if you were trying to move it diagonally from 1st to 2nd. THAT is what you shouldn't do. You should move with just upward movement to Neutral, THEN move it toward the dash and up into 2nd. And many transmissions are indeed designed so that it can't jam into 2 gears at once, there are many OTHERS THAT CAN AND WILL. Chevy transmissions, some Nash transmissions, and even 1939 Packard transmissions are notorious for that. And when I was referring to starting off in 2nd, I was talking about in cars like this. Obviously, you shouldn't do it in cars with a conventional clutch and trans. I have learned the hard way that unless you can prove your argument, it is best not to try to argue with people much older than yourself. They are usually right.
@ I don’t push the shifter forward it does it itself. My showing how to shift is for demonstrative purposes that 2nd and 3rd is towards the dash and 1st and reverse is away from the dash. Makes it easier for people to understand. I explain that it will pop into its quadrant when shifting to 2nd. And even if I shove the shifter forward as hard as I want it will still work. These are made for use and abuse. You CAN start off in 2nd in conventional stick shift cars in many instances. Works fine on flat ground or on downward inclines. As mentioned in the video in this car I said you can drive this car in any gear in most situations. That’s one of the benefits of this setup. And I’ve been around plenty of older people that have no idea what they are talking about. Age doesn’t always mean intelligence. The “I’m older I know more” rebuttal is played out too much.
So the other fluid drive was 4 speeds, with auto shifting from 1st to 2nd, manual from 2nd to 3rd, and auto from 3rd to 4th? Also, I find it ironic that the GM Hydramatics seemingly got worse & weaker from 1939 to 1963, while Chrysler came out with the reliable TorqueFliet in 1956...
@@rctopfueler2841 Practically any manual transmission can be driven without a clutch if you can match engine speed and such and shift at the right time.
@@davidgold5961 I just really like MoPars. And I have tons of extra parts and such for them. Doesn’t make sense for me to get other makes as I got most anything I need right on the shelf.
@@fleetwin1 it lasted until automatics came out for 1954. At that point they didn’t seem the need to keep it as an option. But did have some use in industrial settings for a while longer.
They saw this is the reason DeSotos sold like mad to New York City cab companies after Fluid Drive came out. I can only imagine what driving a clutch only manual in stop and go driving all day before this.
Finally, a great video about Fluid Drive. This fellow truly knows the subject, and he has the ability to express his knowledge clearly and logically. I have watched many videos on Chrysler transmissions, and this one is far and away the best. I am a retired school teacher, and I give this man an A+++. I will be checking out his other offerings.
@@garrybreitstein3593 Thanks for watching! I’m glad you enjoyed the video. Many folks haven’t even heard of Fluid Drive or even realize their car is equipped with it! It’s a neat part of automotive history.
@@ObsoleteAutomotive Hello again Mr. A+++.....yes, these old transmissions are very interesting to me. I would like to share that I am 77 years old at this moment, and my first car memory is when my father bought a cute 1954 Plymouth Belvedere which was blessed with HyDrive. I think the HyDrive was a keen idea, but my father had a hard time with it, because about once per year an O ring would fail and all the oil would come out and it cost a lot of money to fix that. Also, we took that car on a couple of road trips and it did not have enough power to safely pass vehicles on a two lane highway. I don't know if that was because of the HyDrive or just because it was a small engine. My father was not very well off, financially, so it was a big deal. He traded it in for a new 1958 Dodge with a V8 and Torqueflite and that was a world of difference. Technology was really moving fast back in the 50's. The 58 Dodge was pretty bullet proof and we kept it a long time. Again, it is wonderful to encounter a person, on the internet, with your intelligence and personality.
@ It’s crazy how quickly technology advanced in such a short time between 1930 and 1980. A 1954 car was nothing like a 1958 car.
@@garrybreitstein3593 consider yourself fortunate that it was a ‘58 that your dad bought new and not a ‘57, as the ‘57s had a LOT of problems due to rushed production, which were corrected the following year.
GREAT video. Long story short, in about a month, I'm going to start driving a 1946 Dodge Custom with Fluid Drive extensively, and I was kinda unclear how this all worked. Now...I'm ready. Thanks!
@@Vespanation Awesome!
We had a (used) 1953 Dodge with semi-automatic from 1960-64. I remember riding in it and watching it being driven. I remember on relatively flat roads my folks started in second and went to third, rarely using first. Back in those days most who learned to drive knew how to drive sticks. Nowadays, it's rare. I loved having 3 on the tree - wish they'd bring it back, but those days are over.
This is so cool... love antiques and can imagine how this type of transmission was received- particularly postwar when people en masse started buying cars.
There wasn't an interstate system as yet so longer road trips through every town along the way involved a lot of starting and stopping.
People started buying cars en mass in the early 20s.
I had a 48 plymouth my senior year of school. Still the best, most reliable car I ever owned. Got drafted amd my dad sold it.
@@MikeEirman What year was this?
@ObsoleteAutomotive I was drafted in 1970.
@@MikeEirman shame about the car but 1970 was quite the time to be drafted I can imagine.
Awesome explanation and clarification about Chrysler’s venerable Fluid-Drive. That’s a beautiful Dodge Austin.
Thank you for the introduction of fluid drive by Chrysler. I've never driven a car like that. It was informative. 👍
I like how the dashboard is angled to be more ergonomic to the driver's hands and eyes. Such the modernity!
Good explanation.
Johnny Mercer mentions it in WWII song "G I Jive".
Hy-Drive next!
Many thanks for clarifying how these worked. The Tech the Puppet technician training slideshows helped, but didn’t show the actual live footage of these in operation.
@@ryanfoster9863 Figured seeing it in action would help a lot of folks understand it better!
Austin, you did a good job with this. Thank you. I have a '48 Chrysler Windsor which of course has the four speed Fluid-Drive employing under drive gears. That's the system that almost no one can describe correctly or drive correctly either. So, I'm wishing you the best for the upcoming video on that version.
@@discerningmind Hope to get one of the “semi-auto” versions in the future at some point! I had a ‘49 Chrysler with straight 8 and fluid drive and it was a nice cruising car!
I thought the fluid drive was a great transition from manual to full auto transmissions. I'm familiar with the 49 DeSoto with the " Tip-Toe" fluid drive semi-auto transmission. Also known as the clunk-O-matic. With the 2 high and 2 low gears. Only needing the clutch to go from low to high and reverse. A very fun car to drive. Thanks for the video. You don't see alot of the late 40s car videos.
With Clunk O Matic, you only need Lo when taking off on a hill. On level ground, you just use Hi and never have to shift.
Very interesting. My father learned to drive in the late forties and well into the sixties he had an annoying habit of lifting off the gas between gears.in an automatic car. Any make of automatic car. He had a Rocket 88 a 1954. My mom bought a 54 Chevy new at the dealer. They gave out plastic models of the car you bought in the same color with a slot on top to use as a coin bank. She had a three speed on the column. I believe she opted for white walls. We cleaned the whitewalls with Brillo pads back in the those days. She had the wide white walls not the later sixties thin white walls. Now before seat belts or any thought of safety anything if it looked like we were going to have an accident my fathers arm would fly out to retain me on the bench seat. He did it instinctively and automatically. Not that it would not have done any good but everyone did that. My father would let off the gas between first to second shift. So the car would just get going and then he'd let off. Somehow it would find its way into second. But we'd always loose some momentum for no discernible reason. My moms car was a "two tone" as they called it then. The roof was white or a cram color and the body was non metal flake brown. My father went on to have a 56 Dodge Coronet I think convertible with the V8. A 59 Lincoln. A 63 Lincoln, A 57 Coupe DeVille in bronze with the wonderbar radio. Thereafter it was Mercury station wagons. The last being a Colony Park with a 429. It had been preceded by a 67 Colony Park with a 390. I had a 1968 GT 500 Shelby convertible in green and then a 1966 GT 350 white with the blue stripe. A 59 TR3 ..........etc.
GREAT VIDEO. Thank you for the demonstration. I believe my Dad has a fluid drive Dodge when he got out of the service (WWII).
@@issyparrish Thanks! I figured this was a notable part of automotive history deserving of an in depth look!
Service on fluid drive is different also they use hydraulic oil (20 w ) i work on a few of these pretty reliable just keep relays and switches in check awesome video thanks for posting
I have seen a couple of these old Dodge cars with the Fluid Drive badge on the back at car shows.
Always wondered how it worked. Pretty cool.
Excellent informative video, Austin. Note that this Dodge has a center mounted stoplight, which was way ahead of its time. As I recall, all MoPars of this era were so equipped.
@@phillipcramer7936 Yes you can see a video of this car on my channel for more in depth overview of this ‘47 Dodge. What most folks don’t know is that the center brake light is actually the ONLY brake light. The left and right lights are turn signals (if so equipped) or running lights only. But on this car a person added auxiliary lights on each side to come on with the brake light so you get three with more visibility.
Great explanation of your cool Dodge's Fluid Drive transmission. Keep 'em coming, Austin.
Good video, explains the operation of fluid drive very simply. I do have a question though.......since you do have that fluid coupling, can you shift from 1st to 2nd, and 2nd to 3rd, by simply letting up on the gas and shifting without pressing on the clutch? (This would be similar to driving a car equipped with a Borg-Warner overdrive, where, because of the freewheeling of the OD unit, you can shift from 1st to 2nd and from 2nd to 3rd without the clutch......just letting off the gas and shifting a little slower.) I know it wouldn't be recommended from the factory to do this, but can it be done?
@@r1lark The B-W OD units have a freewheeling clutch which essentially disconnects the engine from the the transmission. So then you freewheel when you let off the accelerator. This allows for the auto shifting of the OD. And in turn makes it easier to shift without the clutch since there’s no engine torque on the gears.
The fluid drive unit when driving is essentially making a fully connected engine and trans via hydraulic fluid. The clutch would still be necessary to take torque off the gears and shift. Though shifting without a clutch is generally feasible for any vehicle by matching engine speed and shifting when appropriate. The only time the fluid drive free wheels is when stopped at idle and the hydraulic connection is lost.
Great video and brought back memories I had a 1953 Plymouth with Hydrive, it was fun to drive.
Having owned a beutiful '46 Dodge for many years, you have to remember that with the fluid coupling it will NOT hold in gear--you have to use the parking brake every time you park
@@ronaldfazekas6492 Yes I go over this in the video…
My 1947 Plymouth Special Deluxe 3 on the tree is nothing like that. Nice video Austin keep them coming. Enjoy your videos on the old Mopars .
@@440gtxblewbyyoumopar9 Plymouth never got this setup. Closest they got was the Hydrive in 1953/1954 which functioned a little differently. Thanks for watching!
Hi Austin - as always, "interesting, informative and entertaining!" My dad taught me how to drive in a 3 speed manual 1954 Plymouth and I had a 1950 Dodge Meadowbrook fluid drive in college. ngl i never did get the hang of driving it smoothly. i bought a new 1963 Dodge 330 after college - my first automatic transmission! I still miss the push buttons on the dash. i love your videos 👍🏼.
@@danielimpastato3466 all great cars! I’ve had several 1953 Plymouths but never a 1954 oddly enough.
Holy slippage Batman!
Great video! Good explanation about Chrysler’s fluid drive options! Most people drive the Fluid Torque Drive, and cousins, incorrectly and even post videos doing so.
@@Modeltnick Thanks!
Austin, this is possibly my favorite of all your cars. I love it! Mom had a 47 DeSoto coupe. It was a cool car too. Keep it up!
@@RichardMichel-m3g Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@RichardMichel-m3g Also I owned a ‘47 DeSoto coupe about a decade ago.
Very cool. Thanks for showing us a piece of history.
@@jeff8ball Thanks for watching and commenting!
Finally! This crucial information has finally been shared and taken out of the shadows of the ancient, obsolete operation of equipments also ancient and obsolete. Octogenarians rejoice!
Hopefully, this will curtail the brake checking, swerving, no mirrored lane changing, drag racing Parsons and librarians.
My grandfather had a 1949 Dodge Cros---something I don't remember. I would ride with him while I looked at the driving techniques.
@@ismaelcruz3315 Dodge Coronet perhaps?
Fluid drive was also used in industrial applications. One of my first employers had a Chrysler powered forklift with fluid drive, the fluid drive made forklift work a lot easier and saved a ton of wear on the clutch. Chrysler flatheads were very popular industrial engines and powered just about every kind of machine you can imagine.
@@danielstickney2400 They used flatheads in industrial uses way past when they ceased use in cars. Airport tugs, generators, pumps, etc. They were easy to work on and maintain and would go a long ways!
Good tip about using the parking brake.
Nice looking Town Sedan!
That's a cool car. Well looked after
Good job. Learned a lot.
@@sfoonsfo Glad the video is allowing folks to learn about some automotive history. Thanks for watching and commenting.
Thank you, Austin. I never knew that there was a difference in Mopar fluid drives.
Good demonstration. To be clear you must use the clutch whenever you shift to any gear other than the one you are currently in.
As a side note, all vehicles EXCEPT Plymouth in Chrysler's line up after WW II had Fluid Drive. Desotos and Chryslers had the semi-automatic 4-speed Fluid Drive.
Thanks for a great demonstration.
They had them as an option on 6 cylinder Chryslers, required on v8's. You will almost never find a Windsor with fluid drive ( in 1951-52).
On the Chrysler car line, the four speed Semi Automatics in 1951-52 had a fluid coupling or an optional Torque converter model, which was standard in the Crown Imperial. It was optional and pretty rare on the other V8 models. The column was marked either "Fluid Drive" or "Fluid Torque Drive." They specify a different frame depending which version you had.
Fun fact. Chrysler had a special fluid for the Fluid Coupling. They were a bit secretive about the ingredients because it was mostly whale oil. On the plain "Fluid Drive", you filled the gear box separately from the fluid coupling and they did not share fluid. I suspect transmission fluid or a 0-10 weight modern motor oil would suffice for fluid coupling today.
Awesome ! My 50 Coronet has the standard Fluid drive and not the Gyromatic version thank goodness . Those Solenoids can be very problematic
Shifting from 2nd to 3rd that way can cause you to jam the trans into 2 gears at once. To shift from 1st to 2nd, you are supposed to move the shifter straight up into Neutral, then straight up into 2nd. Also, on level ground, you can take off in 2nd. Try it
@@jamesbosworth4191 I have NEVER had a transmission try to jam into two gears at once and I’ve driven stick cars thousands and thousands of miles. It’s pretty much impossible to do. Though I’ve seen worn out linkage bind up causing the shift lever to get stuck but that’s just due to bad tolerances. Shifting from 2nd and 3rd in what way? You literally only can shift one way… moving the lever down to 3rd…
Also, when you shift to any gear you automatically go into neutral to get to that gear. There’s no other way to go… not sure what you’re even trying to say. Unless you’re trying to reference double clutching?
Technically you can start off in any gear if you want. And in this car even more so. No riding the clutch… in this one. You put it in any gear and just drive. Hills and such dictate how fast you’ll accelerate.
@@ObsoleteAutomotive When you were shifting OUT of 1st, you were trying to push the shift toward the dash, as if you were trying to move it diagonally from 1st to 2nd. THAT is what you shouldn't do. You should move with just upward movement to Neutral, THEN move it toward the dash and up into 2nd. And many transmissions are indeed designed so that it can't jam into 2 gears at once, there are many OTHERS THAT CAN AND WILL. Chevy transmissions, some Nash transmissions, and even 1939 Packard transmissions are notorious for that. And when I was referring to starting off in 2nd, I was talking about in cars like this. Obviously, you shouldn't do it in cars with a conventional clutch and trans. I have learned the hard way that unless you can prove your argument, it is best not to try to argue with people much older than yourself. They are usually right.
@ I don’t push the shifter forward it does it itself. My showing how to shift is for demonstrative purposes that 2nd and 3rd is towards the dash and 1st and reverse is away from the dash. Makes it easier for people to understand. I explain that it will pop into its quadrant when shifting to 2nd. And even if I shove the shifter forward as hard as I want it will still work. These are made for use and abuse.
You CAN start off in 2nd in conventional stick shift cars in many instances. Works fine on flat ground or on downward inclines. As mentioned in the video in this car I said you can drive this car in any gear in most situations. That’s one of the benefits of this setup.
And I’ve been around plenty of older people that have no idea what they are talking about. Age doesn’t always mean intelligence. The “I’m older I know more” rebuttal is played out too much.
@@ObsoleteAutomotive Youthful arrogance. You'll learn, someday.
@ No I won’t. Get off the high horse friendo.
Chrysler also had a torque converter connected to a manual transmission in the early 50s, Fluid Torque for Chrysler and Hy-Drive for Plymouth
Can you have fluid drive or Hydrive with an overdrive?
@@JohnWhiteII It was never offered from the factory but you can add an overdrive unit to a standard fluid drive car.
When I was a kid hot rod guy, we called it “Dynaslow”.
So the other fluid drive was 4 speeds, with auto shifting from 1st to 2nd, manual from 2nd to 3rd, and auto from 3rd to 4th?
Also, I find it ironic that the GM Hydramatics seemingly got worse & weaker from 1939 to 1963, while Chrysler came out with the reliable TorqueFliet in 1956...
Yes, exactly right on the four speeds.
Can ya shift it without the clutch like a old non synchro?
@@rctopfueler2841 Practically any manual transmission can be driven without a clutch if you can match engine speed and such and shift at the right time.
@ObsoleteAutomotive thats why i asked i drive without it all the time. No grinding no chunking up or downshifting any car i drove
We have a family member that use to have a 49 Dodge I think Coronet and it always confused me how to drive the thing.
@@daviddavis4444 It’s easy once you figure out how it works. Hopefully this shed some light on it.
We had a 47 business couple with fluid drive we called the blue goose.
Great video. You seem to prefer Mopar vehicles about 80% of the time. Could you please explain why? Thanks.
@@davidgold5961 I just really like MoPars. And I have tons of extra parts and such for them. Doesn’t make sense for me to get other makes as I got most anything I need right on the shelf.
Similar to the VW Automatic Stick Shift that I had in my 71 Beetle
This is a cool concept, wonder why it did not continue... Cost too high compared to a conventional clutch?
@@fleetwin1 it lasted until automatics came out for 1954. At that point they didn’t seem the need to keep it as an option. But did have some use in industrial settings for a while longer.
My dad had a '50 Dodge that he purchased new. He called it "washing machine drive".
@@williamcaspers5252 Hadn’t heard that one before.
Notice he has one of the much rarer Dodge Town Sedans that were different than the more common four door sedans with suicide rear doors.
@@johnquilter7620 Check out the video on this car. You can see the ins and outs.
th-cam.com/video/hCZZgbRqPRI/w-d-xo.html
Not sure how this is in any way better than standard manual transmission
@@JosephGores-qu1qw You don’t have to use the clutch in a traffic jam or city stop and go driving. So you save your left leg.
They saw this is the reason DeSotos sold like mad to New York City cab companies after Fluid Drive came out. I can only imagine what driving a clutch only manual in stop and go driving all day before this.
Hey you never said weather you need to clutch to change gear
@@johnkelly8525 Literally say at the 1:58 mark that you use the clutch to shift between gears.