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L-29 Cords (front wheel drive) also had the shift control mounted thru the dashboard, over the top of the engine to the forward-mounted transmission. It's the chrome-plated rod in this photo; note the rubber guide rollers. It was functional though without much feel and precision, probably why Cord tried something else and switched to the steering column-mounted vacuum/electric preselector shift on the 810/812 Cords, a system which was even less satisfactory.

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I drove a 39 Six sedan in high school. My father changed the column shift to cane shift. He was thinking, and correctly, that his son would be tempted to try and speed shift and cause damage to the transmission. The cane shift was a practical solution to youth inspired driving.

(o{}o)

The cane shift was a practical solution to youth inspired driving.

The downside was that it was a hindrance to snuggling up with your gal.

But still better than today's bucket seats and consoles.
And by shifting in 3rd, you shift right through to her left leg

Were there conversion kits on the market to make regular cane shift out of a column shifter? And if there were, are they still available?

The "kit" as you say was the option, 1939 was the last year that cane shift was standard equipment. Except on the Twelve where the column shift option was very expensive (as the Twelve was still using essentially the same transmission introduced in 1932), it was inexpensive and an easy changeover.

Owen,
Actually, per the 1939 sales catalogs, 1939 was the first year column shift, aka, Handi Shift, was part of the standard priced vehicle.
In 39, Packard had issues with the linkage in that the open rubber inserts (in the bell crank arms on the transmission) would quickly wear, tear and disintegrate resulting in a large amount of play in the linkage.

This could then result in the transmission being in two gears at once, locking it. At minimum, you would not have positive feel for what gear you're in. Given the fact that the engine/transmission is suspended in rubber and the steering column is not, there will also be movement of the shifter anytime the engine reacts to torque.

Packard quickly offered the crank arms with no rubber inserts, just properly sized holes in the steel.

My 39 had its original rubber inserts, which did indeed deteriorate. After replacing the arms, and proper adjustment, the shift is now smooth, positive and effortless. One could also close the holes with weld and redrill.
PM

Just checking myself and it appears I'm both half-right and half-wrong; Handi-shift optional at extra cost on the Super Eight and Twelve, standard equipment on the 110 and 120. That info from the 1939 Salesman's Data Book.

I have never seen a picture of Handi-shift on a Twelve, which used the tried and true Senior Transmission from the very early Thirties. Does anyone have a pic? PT

I've seen but one, a convertible coupe. I do have a picture if only I can find it.

My 39 V12 has the three on the tree. I'll try to take a picture in the next few days