My newest acquisition.

[Jerry Forrester]

I would have put this in members rides but it is not a ride and it probably never will be.

[skyway]

So it’s an early “tri-star” car?

[Jerry Forrester]

Yes, an early TriStar car. Funny thing is, it has an earlier serial number than my daily driver and both of them are Commander with three-speed overdrive. But this new acquisition with the earlier serial number has the starter next to the ignition switch and my daily driver with the later serial number has the starter under the clutch. What's up with that? When did they use the starter switch next to the ignition switch. Which came first the starter switch under the clutch pedal or the starter switch beside the ignition switch?

[mbstude]

Yes, an early TriStar car. Funny thing is, it has an earlier serial number than my daily driver and both of them are Commander with three-speed overdrive. But this new acquisition with the earlier serial number has the starter next to the ignition switch and my daily driver with the later serial number has the starter under the clutch. What's up with that? When did they use the starter switch next to the ignition switch. Which came first the starter switch under the clutch pedal or the starter switch beside the ignition switch?

All 53's with manual transmission came with the starter button under the clutch. All 53's with automatic transmission came with the starter switch on the dash.

Some 53 owners (like myself) have installed the toggle switch on cars with manual transmission. I did it mostly because the bezel has START cast right into it, and a functional switch in that spot looks nicer than a chrome filler plug.

IMO the toggle switch is a bit more elegant than stomping the clutch to the floor, but maybe that's just me.

[ddub]

Driving these things in the 50s I really liked the starter under the clutch. When I killed it on a hill start (lived in hilly country)I could shove the clutch down for a quick restart.

[rockne10]

All 53's with manual transmission came with the starter button under the clutch. All 53's with automatic transmission came with the starter switch on the dash.

I know YOU know, all cars with automatic transmission, introduced in the 1950 models. had the starter switch on the dash.
The '50-'52 models used a T-handle pull switch next to the hood release, then the toggle switch beginning in the '53 models.

When did they start installing the two-position key-start ignition switch for both transmissions? 1956 perhaps?

[gjamesk]

Brad, actually the '52 automatic starter switch is a push button on the dash panel. I put one in my 3 spd OD manual '52 Commander.

[StudeRich]

In 1955 the Key Start Ignition Switch was first used.

[StudeRich]

12:45 PM 10/04/2025 WAIT a Minute here !

A Lot of Something is definitely missing, there is No Jerry Forester Post here to quote, no mention of What '53 Gary (skyway) is talking about, No Tri-Star Car, and No reason to start talking about Starter Switches !

What happened, a bunch of posts were deleted ?

[skyway]

???Jerry’s post #1, included a head on photo of a black Lowey with a tri-star on its hood below an “8”???

[rockne10]

12:45 PM 10/04/2025 WAIT a Minute here !

A Lot of Something is definitely missing, there is No Jerry Forester Post here to quote, no mention of What '53 Gary (skyway) is talking about, No Tri-Star Car, and No reason to start talking about Starter Switches !

What happened, a bunch of posts were deleted ?

It appears a bunch of the images did not load. But we did get the head-on image of the '53 Commander Starliner and the 55-year-old inspection sticker.

[StudeRich]

No sign of a '53 anywhere Now, here !

[Jerry Forrester]

12:45 PM 10/04/2025 WAIT a Minute here !

A Lot of Something is definitely missing, there is No Jerry Forester Post here to quote, no mention of What '53 Gary (skyway) is talking about, No Tri-Star Car, and No reason to start talking about Starter Switches !

What happened, a bunch of posts were deleted ?

First pic shows a TriStar car. Post 3&4 is about starter switches.

[oilnsteel]

The dash mounted starter switch was necessary on automatic drive cars because of the neutral safety switch. JT

[rockne10]

Makes sense. Thanks!

[raidmagic]

Thats cool. Why will it never be a driver?

[StudeRich]

What Post mentions a Car Not being a Driver ? I see None.

[Jerry Forrester]

Post number 1. Is a ride and a driver not the same thing?

[Jerry Forrester]

Thats cool. Why will it never be a driver?

I guess I should have said, "as long as I'm alive".