Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Was is available on the automatic transmissions? Where is the overdrive control knob located?

The overdrive lockout knob will be mounted on the bottom dash edge to the right of the steering column. On the firewall there will be a 4 terminal relay with a fuse mounted on the long side of the rectangular case.

Quote:

OD was only available with standard shift manual transmissions.

Thanks Owen and Howard. Howard sounds like it looks basically the same on the inside as the 51-54's.

Was the gear ratio higher in automatics where you didn't need it? Or do you drive on the highway at 3000 RPM with an automatic?

Ultramatic equipped cars generally were equipped with a 3.54 rear ratio, but 3.23 and 3.07 were available. Standard transmission cars typically had the 3.90 ratio. Seldom seen but in 1956 a 2.87 was also offered with Ultramatic.

The listing of standard and optional ratios are in the specifications which are published in the 1955 Service Counselors.