In a message dated 7/27/99 9:33:00 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
TheCarNutz@xxxxxxx writes:
> I just wanted to clear up something for all forward lookers since it seems
> many like myself are also involved with pre 55 Chrysler products as well.
> Regarding the term "Fluid Drive," this is not a transmission but a fluid
> coupling clutch. With Fluid Drive you have a conventional 3 speed column
> shift, but only need to use the clutch pedal if you want to change gears;
ie
> when coming to a stop you do not have to push in the clutch pedal. You can
> start out in 1st, 2nd or 3rd but of course not exactly with blazing speed.
> In 1940, Chrysler models also began offering a semi automatic transmission
> (Vacamatic) which was available as an option, in addition but in
conjunction
> with Fluid Drive. To follow, DeSoto and Dodge would eventually offer these
> semi -automatic transmissions,(under various names) which we used to call
> "clunk O Matics" due to the sound they made when shifting. Remember, Fluid
> Drive is simply in reference to the clutch and not a transmission. I hope
I
> didn't bore any FLKRs with this info, but it's a subject often confused and
> especially younger car collectors need help with.
> Bill Borton
>
>
One additional comment I should have made. Never start a Fluid Drive vehicle
or one equipped the the various semi-automatics, unless when starting you
keep the clutch pedal pushed down. A friend of mine had a serious health
problem recently, and had a mutual friend come over to drive his 49 Chrysler
Town & Country convertible with the top down, around the block since it had
been sitting for awhile. This mutual friend knew how to drive a stick shift,
but he got into the Chrysler in the garage and started it up without pushing
in the clutch(thought it was in neutral), and drove right through the garage
wall and into the dining room. Of course a regular stick shift will jump if
you try to start it in gear, but with these semi-automatics they can start
and immediately go!!!! Oh, and the mutual friend was wearing drywall around
his neck, and when the dust settled it took $5000 to repair all the damage.
Bill
Borton
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