Howard, thanks for the information. It was exactly as you said. Our collective experience with overdrives was not on Packards and involved actively pulling the handle to engage rather than pulling the knob to lock it out. Again, thanks!

Thanks for the invitation! I will enter all of our Packard vehicles (at this time there are 43 ranging from a 1910 to a 1958) as I get a chance! We have a portfolio of just over 420 at this time so Packard is well represented!

Folks, thanks for all of the great information here! My overdrive experience was limited to early 60's Chevrolets that had a handle to pull to engage. I figured this to be the case here but without the car present to check I decided to join up here and ask people who would likely know the answer. While our portfolio has over 40 Packards included all of our cars from this era have the Ultramatic so I was charting new ground here. Again, thanks!

It is a junior series car. The information is greatly appreciated!

New member here! I am the sales manager for a large midwestern vehicle collection that recently acquired a Henney-bodied 1954 Packard ambulance. My owner drove the car for the first time today--it's equipped with a three-speed manual transmission. He said that when he stepped down on the gas at highway speed the car seems to "kick down" like an automatic transmission vehicle would. This is something kind of new to us, as the other 1950's era Packards we own are equipped with the Ultramatic transmission. Any information will be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance!