Re: The History of Packard

Posted by Packard53 On 2008/10/8 18:29:38

Well two out of five went a different direction at GM. As Owen pointed out Buick had the dynaflow, and Chevy powerglide.

The questioned that could be asked is why two divisions of GM decide not to use the hydramatic.

Lincoln only purchased hydramatics as a stop gap measure until Ford came out with their own automatic transmission, which I believe was around 1952 or 1953. Hudson stopped using hydramatics in 1953 when GM"s transmission plant caught fire. Then Hudson started using the three speed Borg Warner automatic, which Studebaker had been using since they listed automatic transmission as an option in the 50's.

One fact is that Buck and GM tried using Packard for patent infringements with the introduction of the ultramatic.
I might add that Packard fought GM in court over this and the court found in favor of Packard.

John F. Shireman