> > About Imps in general:
> > What was the first year for the automatic transmission?
>
> Fully automatic: mid-1953 (two-speed PowerFlite)
> Fluid Torque Drive (semi-automatic but with torque converter): 1951
> Fluid Drive (semi-automatic): 1939
>
Fluid Drive was not a tranmission, but a fluid coupling between the engine
and clutch. It was first introduced in 1939 on the Chrysler Custom Imperial
(C-24). It was mated to a 3-speed manual transmission.
In 1941 Chrysler introduced the 4-speed semi-automatic Vacamatic. The eight
cylinder Chryslers, though, used a 3-speed (with first blocked off) with
overdrive on 2nd and 3rd that gave 4 forward speeds. But it was not a
semi-automatic transmission. The Vacamatic was not offered on the Crown
Imperial until 1942. (Some say the blocker on 1st could be removed,
resulting in a 6-speed setup.)
After the war, the Vacamatic was replaced by a hydraulically-operated
transmission that was given the name Prestomatic for 1949.
> > What was the last year for manual transmission?
>
> 1939?
1941 - the 3-speed manual transmission (1st gear blocked off) with overdrive
on 2nd and 3rd.
Bill
Vancouver, BC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christopher Hoffman" <imperial67@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: <mailing-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>;
<ChryslerNewYorkerBrougham@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Thursday, May 02, 2002 5:00 PM
Subject: Re: IML: IML/NYBML: questions for the group
> Alan Harper wrote:
>
> [The first three questions pertained to the 74-54 Imp and 76-78 NYB. I'm
> responding to both lists since Alan posed the questions to both...]
>
> > Was there ever a convertible?
>
> No. Chrysler stopped making Imperial convertibles after 1968.
>
> > Was there ever a coupe with bucket seats and a floor shift in a console?
>
> Not in these years (1974-78).
>
> > What was the Salon?
>
> You can read about mine in detail and see pix on the NYBML website:
> http://nybclub.org/christopherhoffman/index.htm
>
> > About Imps in general:
> > What was the first year for the automatic transmission?
>
> Fully automatic: mid-1953 (two-speed PowerFlite)
> Fluid Torque Drive (semi-automatic but with torque converter): 1951
> Fluid Drive (semi-automatic): 1939
>
> > What was the last year for manual transmission?
>
> 1939?
>
> Chris in LA (in Yosemite at the moment)
>
>
>
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