Floor shift automatic [?]

[jimmijim8]

Were all V8 Larks and Hawks in 63-4 when equipped with automatic floor shifters also optioned with powershift trannys? If one wanted a column shift automatic with the R series engine in those years was one relegated to the heavy duty flightomatic? Any body aware of any 6 cyl. automatic floor shift cars being produced? Any 65-6 floor shift auto's or 4 speeds available? I just gots to know! jimmijm

[mbstude]

From what I understand....

The PowerShift was only available in a '63-64 R series Lark or Hawk. The only cars with non-R series engines (standard 289s) that I've seen with PowerShifts, were '64 GT Hawks.

In the early days of the R series engine, a regular, air cooled Flight-O-Matic was available. After those didn't hold up, the HD (water cooled) FOM became available. So you had FIVE transmission choices with an R engine. PowerShift, HD Flight-o, T-10 4 speed, straight 3 speed, and 3 speed with overdrive. The PowerShift and T-10 were the only ones that were floor shifted.

I don't believe any floor shift automatic 6 bangers were ever built. And in '65-66, only a column shift car was available. (Flight-o, 3 speed, or 3 speed with OD.)

Hope this somewhat makes sense.

Matthew Burnette
Hazlehurst, GA

[JDP]

The Powershift was a option for any V8. Some R series cars were equipped with the HD Flightomatic, a few even the regular, ir cooled one.

JDP/Maryland
"I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."
Thomas Jefferson

[JDP]

The Powershift was a option for any V8. Some R series cars were equipped with the HD Flightomatic, a few even the regular, ir cooled one.

JDP/Maryland
"I'm a great believer in luck and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it."
Thomas Jefferson

[jimmijim8]

Thanks guys for the info. I at one time owned a 64 cruiser with red viny bucket seat interior with the power shift. Engine was a 289 2 bbl. I did the irresponsible thing to it about 20 yrs go.I have regretted that deed many times. jimmijim

[StudeRich]

Matt, just to be a little clearer; I do not believe that you can say that R Series Studebakers (Jet Thrust, Super Jet Thrust and Avanti R1 & R2) were available with 3 speed and 3 speed Overdrive! [:0]

I do not think ANY R2's were built with 3 speed, it shows not available in the '64 Showroom Manual Performance section.

Also I not think any R series cars were built with Overdrive.

The R2 and above engines all require 4 Speed or H.D. Automatic, either Power Shift or H.D. Flight-O-Matic.

What those few 3 speeds SHOULD have had, is the H.D. T-85 3 Speed Overdrive! [] There were of course fit issues, with the Avanti, Daytona Convertible and Wagonaire because of the "X" member frame.

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[JDC]

Can you use a Powershift shifter with a Flight-O? Are they essentially the same trans?

[JDC]

Can you use a Powershift shifter with a Flight-O? Are they essentially the same trans?

[StudeRich]

No, the Powershift has a wider front band, sprag unit, 6 position valve body, backward shift pattern (PRND21) etc.

It is very similar to a Ford Cruise-O-Matic.

quote:Originally posted by JDC

Can you use a Powershift shifter with a Flight-O? Are they essentially the same trans?

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[StudeRich]

No, the Powershift has a wider front band, sprag unit, 6 position valve body, backward shift pattern (PRND21) etc.

It is very similar to a Ford Cruise-O-Matic.

quote:Originally posted by JDC

Can you use a Powershift shifter with a Flight-O? Are they essentially the same trans?

StudeRich
Studebakers Northwest
Ferndale, WA

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by StudeRich

No, the Powershift has a wider front band, sprag unit, 6 position valve body, backward shift pattern (PRND21) etc.

It is very similar to a Ford Cruise-O-Matic.

...except the Cruise-O-Matic started in low gear.



Dick Steinkamp
Bellingham, WA

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by StudeRich

No, the Powershift has a wider front band, sprag unit, 6 position valve body, backward shift pattern (PRND21) etc.

It is very similar to a Ford Cruise-O-Matic.

...except the Cruise-O-Matic started in low gear.



Dick Steinkamp
Bellingham, WA

[BobPalma]

To clarify just a couple things, guys, based on a ton of research for the up-coming High-Performance Studebakers article in Collectible Automobile magazine:

1. There's no record of any R-series car being built with overdrive.

2. Straight three-speed was only available with an R1 engine.

3. Standard-Duty, air-cooled, column-shift Flightomatic was fitted to some R2 1964 cars as well, believe it or not. Example: 64V7089, was a Laguna Blue 1964 Daytona Convertible shipped to Virginia with an R2 engine and column-shift, standard-duty Flightomatic!

4. Powershift floor automatic was not available in 1963 Larks or Hawks until February 15, 1963. If you ordered a 1963, R2-powered Lark or Hawk before then, you got one of three transmissions: Column-shift H.D. Flightomatic, standard-duty, column-shift Flightomatic, or 4-speed, floor shift.

Looking over production records, a general shift seems to have been made at Serial Number 63V7202, an Ermine White 1963 R2/Standard-Duty Flightomatic Gran Turismo Hawk. Most (but not all) R-engine/automatic transmission cars before that number were standard-duty Flightomatics. Most (but not all) R-engine/automatic transmission cars after that serial number were Heavy-Duty Flightomatics. BP

[Rerun]

quote:The PowerShift was only available in a '63-64 R series Lark or Hawk. The only cars with non-R series engines (standard 289s) that I've seen with PowerShifts, were '64 GT Hawks.

There was at least one '64 Daytona built with a 259 and a Powershift.

Jim Bradley
Lewistown PA
'64 Daytona HT "Rerun"

[Rerun]

quote:The PowerShift was only available in a '63-64 R series Lark or Hawk. The only cars with non-R series engines (standard 289s) that I've seen with PowerShifts, were '64 GT Hawks.

There was at least one '64 Daytona built with a 259 and a Powershift.

Jim Bradley
Lewistown PA
'64 Daytona HT "Rerun"