Down memory lane - Slushboxes

Ron Mummert · #1 09-17-2001, 10:08 PM

In an effort to mentally escape the numbing events of the day, I drifted off to some "good 'ole day" thoughts. With the constant tranny concerns of most members, & new threads about attempted conversions to 5 speed boxes, I wonder who can remember their first encounter with the "automatic". Most younger members, of course, grew up with these monuments to laziness, but there was a time when they were the GPS system of the day. I remember my aunt in Charlotte, NC who had a '41 Olds with a Hydromatic 3 speed (or was it 4?). That thing shifted just like a stick shifter that would "pop" the clutch between gears. Early level 10? Anyone remember Chrysler's Fluid Drive? I think you could take off in "third" (0-60 in five minutes) or shift manually. Wow, prehistoric tiptronic! Buick's Dynaflow (Dynaslow) came out in '49, I think. Absolutely no perception of gear changes. Absolutely no perception of acceleration either. Studebaker had a unique approach to automatics as well. If anyone can remember what the uniqueness was, you win a pat-on-the-fanny/tranny award. Also, what European make was the first to sell a mass produced automatic, and when? God bless America. Ron.

Seraph · #2 09-17-2001, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ron Mummert
In an effort to mentally escape the numbing events of the day, I drifted off to some "good 'ole day" thoughts. With the constant tranny concerns of most members, & new threads about attempted conversions to 5 speed boxes, I wonder who can remember their first encounter with the "automatic". Most younger members, of course, grew up with these monuments to laziness, but there was a time when they were the GPS system of the day. I remember my aunt in Charlotte, NC who had a '41 Olds with a Hydromatic 3 speed (or was it 4?). That thing shifted just like a stick shifter that would "pop" the clutch between gears. Early level 10? Anyone remember Chrysler's Fluid Drive? I think you could take off in "third" (0-60 in five minutes) or shift manually. Wow, prehistoric tiptronic! Buick's Dynaflow (Dynaslow) came out in '49, I think. Absolutely no perception of gear changes. Absolutely no perception of acceleration either. Studebaker had a unique approach to automatics as well. If anyone can remember what the uniqueness was, you win a pat-on-the-fanny/tranny award. Also, what European make was the first to sell a mass produced automatic, and when? God bless America. Ron.

Ron, I was born in '78. I can not tell you much. I did all my training and my first couple of cars are manuals. I love the manual control of any car I am in although I love the feel of SVX. It makes me float. But the first auto was my family Pajero -- montero here. I felt powerful from the view of the SUV -- come here little car little car.

Lwin

satanta · #3 09-18-2001, 07:08 AM

Hi Guys

I was born in '42 and remember dearly the cars you spoke about. My first car was a '49 Dodge roadster with fluid drive, Single bench seat and windows that dropped in (not roll up), and a manual convertable top. I paid $35 for it at a charity auction in '56. Have many fond memories of that car.

Ron Mummert · #4 09-18-2001, 07:55 AM

Correction - The Studebaker. My addled brain let me confuse an unusual shift feature with an "automatic". Actually the manual box is the one that let you do something "different". Guesses welcome. Ron.

Mr. Pockets · #5 09-18-2001, 08:30 AM

The car I learned to drive in was an automatic, but my first car - a Toyota pickup - was a 5-speed. I know own three Subarus - the SVX and Legacy are autos and the GL is a 5-speed. I enjoy driving all of them for different reasons and I still think the auto is the right choice for the SVX and NOT an example of laziness.

Aredubjay · #6 09-18-2001, 01:30 PM

The first car my Dad let me "try" to drive on my own was a '46 Plymouth Deluxe with "Three on the tree." It was not an abysmal failure, but not a roaring success, either. I didn't do too badly for a 14 year old who could barely see through the steering wheel and reach the clutch/gas at the same time, and thought that the horsehair stuffed mohair seats were "itchy." And, no, this was not "in the driveway on Sunday." This was on the open road. My dad believed you learned by doing the real thing -- someday I'll tell you about my first smoking experience at 6 years of age.

Aredubjay · #7 09-18-2001, 01:42 PM

I was minding my own business, trying to find info on the Studebaker (okay, so, I was trying to solve Ron's riddle and post like I knew all along -- I was cheating). My

search turned up page for a 1955 Studebaker Champion. I just had to see it. It was . . . Yellow. Not to mention . . . oh, hell, go see for yourself.

http://www.fortunecity.com/silversto...207/index.html

AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

LarryIII · #8 09-18-2001, 02:47 PM

Ron,

My dad had a '50 or '51 Roadmaster with Dynaflow.
All I remember about it was the color, "Battleship Gray".
Oh, and 4 portholes in each front fender.

I hated that car.

Larry III

LarryIII · #9 09-18-2001, 02:49 PM

Ron,

Wasn't "slushbox" used as a term to describe earl Chevy 2-speed Powerglide transmissions. I think there was more glide than power.

Larry III

Ron Mummert · #10 09-18-2001, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by LarryIII
Ron,

Wasn't "slushbox" used as a term to describe earl Chevy 2-speed Powerglide transmissions. I think there was more glide than power.

Larry III

I don't remember the term being applied to any particular automatic - just automatics in general. Hey, Larry - be nice to '51 Buick Roadmasters. My dad bought a used one, metallic green, white top in '53. T'was his pride & joy. That's the car I took my driver's test in, & used to, uh...court my first true love. Slow on the road, but made for some fast times at the local drive-in movie.
Give up on the Studebaker question? Ron.

Ron Mummert · #11 09-18-2001, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Aredubjay
I was minding my own business, trying to find info on the Studebaker (okay, so, I was trying to solve Ron's riddle and post like I knew all along -- I was cheating). My search turned up page for a 1955 Studebaker Champion. I just had to see it. It was . . . Yellow. Not to mention . . . oh, hell, go see for yourself.

http://www.fortunecity.com/silversto...207/index.html

AAAARRRRRGGGGHHHHHH!!!!!

I'll bet you clicked on each & every one of those beauties, didn't you, Randy? Just like a bad auto accident. You know you should look away, but you can't resist a peek. Now, go back & look at that y****w SVX. It should be easy for you now. Ron

dromano · #12 09-19-2001, 09:12 AM

Those early automatics were not cool as far as my peer group was concerned. If your ride was not "stick" something was wrong with you. Gas mileage was an issue, gas was cheap, only young people cared about mpg in those days. Studebarker came out with the "Hawks" in 56.
I drove a 57 Golden Hawk (a/t) as a teenager. It had a super charger, 275 hp I think. It was a fast car. How about the Chrysler products with the push button shift automatics? How about having your oil, battery, coolant & tires checked every time you put gas in the car? Change oil every 1000 miles & have the brakes adjusted. Canister oil filters? Oil bath air cleaners?

dromano · #13 09-19-2001, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ron Mummert
Correction - The Studebaker. My addled brain let me confuse an unusual shift feature with an "automatic". Actually the manual box is the one that let you do something "different". Guesses welcome. Ron.

Over drive?

Ron Mummert · #14 09-19-2001, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by dromano
Over drive?

No, but nice try. Ron.

dromano · #15 09-19-2001, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Ron Mummert

No, but nice try. Ron.

syncromesh?