Re: 1955-56 manual overdrive transmission

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2014/3/4 8:56:11

I'll probably get some disagreement, but I'll take a shot at it. Mike Grimes has studied the Caribbean data extensively and might have more to offer.

1. No records have ever surfaced with that information to my knowledge. The only way to know would be to have access to and review all the build slips/shipping orders for the 400s. Thirty might be correct, but more likely is probably no more than a guess.

2. The Utica engine number indicates if the engine was built with a flywheel for a manual trans or a flex-plate for Ultramatic. If on a model where the manual transmission was standard, Twin Ultramatic would have been noted on the build slip/shipping order.

3. Not offered on Caribbeans.

4. None documented as installed by the factory in 1956 as shown by analysis of the build slips, additionally there was no Utica engine code for a Caribbean engine with a flywheel. Some dealer conversions are known. I assume the situation was the same for 1955 Caribbeans but don't know that for a fact - never seen an analysis of the 55 Caribbean build slips.

5. Come on West, what kind of a question is that? Surely you know.