A Little Quiz...

[John Ratliff]

Last evening, I was at a local car get together, and some of the guys were talking about when U.S car makers first used synchro transmissions in passanger cars. They seemed to think it was in the mid fiftys. When did Studebaker first have it. I am sure it must have been in the fourtys.

John Ratliff

[Roscomacaw]

Looking at the parts book, it appears that 1939 was the first year for synchros. On second and third only, of course.

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


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

[Roscomacaw]

Looking at the parts book, it appears that 1939 was the first year for synchros. On second and third only, of course.

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


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

[1956 Hawk]

Quite a bit before the fiftys.

quote:In 1929 Cadillac introduced the "Selective Synchromesh Gear Transmission," 3-speed (3-forward, 1-reverse).

David

[1956 Hawk]

Quite a bit before the fiftys.

quote:In 1929 Cadillac introduced the "Selective Synchromesh Gear Transmission," 3-speed (3-forward, 1-reverse).

David

[lstude]

I remember a Ford ad in 1964 that said they had a Synchromesh first gear in their 3 speed column shift transmission. I thought this was odd since 4 speeds were the rage by then.

Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[lstude]

I remember a Ford ad in 1964 that said they had a Synchromesh first gear in their 3 speed column shift transmission. I thought this was odd since 4 speeds were the rage by then.

Leonard Shepherd

http://leonardshepherd.com/

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by lstude

I remember a Ford ad in 1964 that said they had a Synchromesh first gear in their 3 speed column shift transmission.

Around that same time, the Chevy 3 speed Saginaw was synchro in all 3 gears also.

Now, stick shifts (5 and 6 speeds) have synchro on reverse [:0])

[Dick Steinkamp]

quote:Originally posted by lstude

I remember a Ford ad in 1964 that said they had a Synchromesh first gear in their 3 speed column shift transmission.

Around that same time, the Chevy 3 speed Saginaw was synchro in all 3 gears also.

Now, stick shifts (5 and 6 speeds) have synchro on reverse [:0])

[Skip Lackie]

Am I the only geezer who drove 1930s cars? I have a Cadillac/LaSalle parts book that shows synchro in 2nd and 3rd at least as early as 1930. I have driven a number of mid-30s cars and they all had it. Trucks got it later -- truck drivers were expected to know how to double-clutch.

Mr Biggs - My reading of the 34 - 46 Stude parts book seems to show synchromesh on second and third in all cars at least as back as far as 34. Am I misreading item 0702-15?


Skip Lackie
Washington DC

[Skip Lackie]

Am I the only geezer who drove 1930s cars? I have a Cadillac/LaSalle parts book that shows synchro in 2nd and 3rd at least as early as 1930. I have driven a number of mid-30s cars and they all had it. Trucks got it later -- truck drivers were expected to know how to double-clutch.

Mr Biggs - My reading of the 34 - 46 Stude parts book seems to show synchromesh on second and third in all cars at least as back as far as 34. Am I misreading item 0702-15?


Skip Lackie
Washington DC

[Roscomacaw]

Well, there you have it. As I like to remind myself from time to time - if you're not making mistakes, you're not doing anything.
I glanced at the parts book drawings and readily recognized the seprate synchro rings in the '39 and later tranny illustration. And while I've driven quite a number of prewar cars in years past (as far back as a 1913 Overland Speedster) (This was in the early 70s), I'd forgotten most of the details I hadn't had to bother myself with.
I DID have to master the art of double-clutching to drive some of the vintage iron I encountered, but anymore I don't recall where (in time) the synchros began to be prevalent.
Since my (and maybe your) parts book only goes back to '34 (I don't have any for earlier years), can you say if prior to that, synchronized gears were the norm in Studes?

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


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

[Roscomacaw]

Well, there you have it. As I like to remind myself from time to time - if you're not making mistakes, you're not doing anything.
I glanced at the parts book drawings and readily recognized the seprate synchro rings in the '39 and later tranny illustration. And while I've driven quite a number of prewar cars in years past (as far back as a 1913 Overland Speedster) (This was in the early 70s), I'd forgotten most of the details I hadn't had to bother myself with.
I DID have to master the art of double-clutching to drive some of the vintage iron I encountered, but anymore I don't recall where (in time) the synchros began to be prevalent.
Since my (and maybe your) parts book only goes back to '34 (I don't have any for earlier years), can you say if prior to that, synchronized gears were the norm in Studes?

Miscreant adrift in
the BerStuda Triangle


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

[dictator27]

As noted on this thread Cadillac/La Salle introduced synchromesh transmissions for 1929. Everyone else including Studebaker had it by 1931. Studebaker/Pierce Arrow went one step further offering freewheeling in '31 and overdrive in '34. It is interesting to note that originally freewheeling and overdrive operated as separate units. On mid thirties Studes freewheeling operated up to about 57 mph at which point overdrive was automatically engaged mechanically by a centrifugal clutch - no electrical solenoid. When that happened freewheeling was locked out.

Terry

[dictator27]

As noted on this thread Cadillac/La Salle introduced synchromesh transmissions for 1929. Everyone else including Studebaker had it by 1931. Studebaker/Pierce Arrow went one step further offering freewheeling in '31 and overdrive in '34. It is interesting to note that originally freewheeling and overdrive operated as separate units. On mid thirties Studes freewheeling operated up to about 57 mph at which point overdrive was automatically engaged mechanically by a centrifugal clutch - no electrical solenoid. When that happened freewheeling was locked out.

Terry