Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

In the attached photo, the overdrive light on the top panel says "Aero Drive", the middle panel says "Over Drive" - so my question is whether this was some sort of a running change or ??? The bottom panel, with turn signals is 1942. All these are available, and I also have the complete steering column from the '42 with the unique turn signal apparatus. Any interest?

Attach file:

---

  (107.08 KB)

I think you are correct in that it was a change between 1941 and 1942. Aerodrive and overdrive are the same thing. I think Aerodrive was the term for 1940-41, and for 1942 they changed to Overdrive.

Those are also correct for 160s. My 41 160 has "Aero Drive" on the gauge face and I have a spare one as well. Now I'll have to dig it up and see what it says.

I checked the panels I have [8] both jr. and sr. and it's 50 50.

My 1941 160 was delivered in March of 1941 in Philadelphia and the wording is: Over Drive.

Attach file:

---

  (68.69 KB)

I think Packard may have been a little confused themselves on the subject. In one service counselor they talk about various items dealing with whatever marketing was calling the unit. In one article it was Aero-drive light issues. In another article in the same issue it was Econo-drive governor problems. In a counselor a few issues later it was things to check if a driver complained of problems with the over drive.

With the debut of overdrive equipment in the 17th Series, they referred to it as "Econo-Drive". Come the 19th Series, it was rechristened "Aero-Drive". Was it just a marketing thing?

Problem was some persistent issues in the Econo-Drive cars were later solved with current production parts from the Aero-Drive cars. I think some of the overlap also stems from the newsletter trying to keep up with older cars as well as late-model during wartime.

Seems like they began referring to it simply as "Overdrive" after 1942.

Then, there's R-9 and R-11.

Very confusing to keep up with when trying to index it all, but I've tried to note "Econo" or "Aero" distinctions, which will become apparent when I pass the 37-42 installment on to BigKev.

Seems like they began referring to it simply as "Overdrive" after 1942.

Marketing appears to have gone back to Econo-drive for the 21st series--at least in the owners manual. 22nd series has it referred to as Over-drive.

Attach file:

---

  (35.40 KB)

I just spent some time reading through the Service Letters 1940 - 1943 and yes... 1940 was predominately Econo-Drive, 1941 was mostly Aero-Drive and 1942 was Econo-Drive and Overdrive. Aero-Drive was mentioned in a 1943 letter.

Reminds me of the Marketing Department of the Airline I worked for.

I have two 1941 180 instrument panels, one in the car and one on the shelf. Both have the Aero-Drive label.

Edit: I just noticed on the bottom instrument panel in the original flackmaster posting there's what appears to be a turn indicator arrow just to the right of the "11". Or is it just a smudge? Neither of my panels have that.

I was going mainly from memories of indexing the service newsleter articles, which may be a bit fuzzy as I continue working back through time and thousands of articles. I'll revist the articles from 1942 on and update my index entries, if needed.

Meanwhile, the site's archive presently includes a Transmission and Overdrive Serviceman's Training Booklet from 1948, and an Econo-Drive Serviceman's Training Booklet from 1946. The latter mentions "Econo-Drive in the opening paragraph, but simply refers to the unit as "overdrive" from then on.

So, it looks like they did revert to the "Econo-Drive" moniker for 21st Series, then simply called it as "Overdrive" for 22nd Series on. Apparently the term "Aero-Drive" wasn't a hit with customers.

Yet, there's also a Borg Warner Overdrive Manual listed under "Service, Shop & Training Manuals" (though the page header for the article shows "Owner & Operation Manuals"), covering R-10 and R-11.

R-10 is new to me, but I'm a V8 guy - not at all familiar with differences between R-9 amd R-11.