Determining Overdrive???

[studehunter]

I am in the process of restoring a 54 coupe and I had my transmission rebuilt, but I know nothing about it. How do I determine if my car has overdrive . It is an automatic transmission I do know that much.

Thanks

Domenic Manera
1954 Regal Starlight Coupe

[lstude]

Studebaker automatics did not have overdrive, just the 3 speed manuals and it was optional on those.

Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[lstude]

Studebaker automatics did not have overdrive, just the 3 speed manuals and it was optional on those.

Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[Skip Lackie]

Automatic transmissions with overdrive did not appear until the 1980s, after the oil crises of the 1970s suddenly made gas mileage more important to many motorists. Before that, automatics generally had two, three, or four forward gears, with the highest gear being a 1:1 ratio.

Skip Lackie
Washington DC

[Skip Lackie]

Automatic transmissions with overdrive did not appear until the 1980s, after the oil crises of the 1970s suddenly made gas mileage more important to many motorists. Before that, automatics generally had two, three, or four forward gears, with the highest gear being a 1:1 ratio.

Skip Lackie
Washington DC

[studegary]

Your car's automatic does not have an overdrive gear, but it does have a lock up torque converter. This is what makes some people think that it is going into another gear, but it isn't - it is still 1:1, but without the slippage. This is a good transmission that is also economical in use due to the lock up torque converter.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer

[studegary]

Your car's automatic does not have an overdrive gear, but it does have a lock up torque converter. This is what makes some people think that it is going into another gear, but it isn't - it is still 1:1, but without the slippage. This is a good transmission that is also economical in use due to the lock up torque converter.

Gary L.
Wappinger, NY

SDC member since 1968
Studebaker enthusiast much longer

[studehunter]

Thanks very much I have a clear understanding of exactly what I have now.

Domenic Manera
1954 Regal Starlight Coupe

[studehunter]

Thanks very much I have a clear understanding of exactly what I have now.

Domenic Manera
1954 Regal Starlight Coupe

[Roscomacaw]

Also, since I don't see whether or not your '54's a Champion or a Commander, the Champion debuted the 1st gear start arrangement in the DG transmission in '54. The next year, all three lines had first gear start. Champion, Commander & President.[^]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe

[Roscomacaw]

Also, since I don't see whether or not your '54's a Champion or a Commander, the Champion debuted the 1st gear start arrangement in the DG transmission in '54. The next year, all three lines had first gear start. Champion, Commander & President.[^]

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle

1957 Transtar 1/2ton
1960 Larkvertible V8
1958 Provincial wagon
1953 Commander coupe