Re: Is overdrive really necessary?
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Forum Ambassador
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It is interesting that more cars didn't have OD. Am assuming by post war times it was a well proven accessory for most mfgs so wouldn't think that would factor in too much.
As evidenced by that invoice for a 46 Deluxe posted it was roughly an $80 option. On the base car price of $1750 (for an inexpensive model) that works out to a little over an extra 2% of the purchase price. I guess that was a fairly decent amount then. The typical established Packard buyer probably wouldn't blink but maybe those new and younger customers on the way up would. Being a relatively expensive option might explain why there were not more cars so equipped in spite of the benefits.
Posted on: 2014/11/4 15:15
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Howard
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Re: Is overdrive really necessary?
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Forum Ambassador
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Sure it's nice to have, more so today than when many Packards were built, but I don't know that it's ever really "necessary", lots of folks tour extensively in Packards of all vintages without it. I'd also think there might be some variation with regard to body style, for example Formal Sedans rarely went beyond city limits or urban areas. I'd guess that, once roads were built to allow higher speeds, buyers would be more likely to buy overdrive if they lived in the open flatlands. For Packards that spent most of their lives close to home it's not really of any significant benefit.
Who was first with OD, Chrysler in the 1st series Airflow?
Posted on: 2014/11/4 16:23
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Re: Is overdrive really necessary?
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Forum Ambassador
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I must admit that I remember when the legal speed limit on highways was 50 MPH. Even today where I live the legal speed limit is still only 55MPH even on our newly reconstructed 4 lane sections of the Trans-Canada Highway. Hardly speeds that would challenge any 1930' s let alone a 1955-56 Packard I imagine. No real need for OD unless you did long distance touring on the Great Plains, Nevada deserts or the Canadian prairies where the landscape is flat for miles and miles and roads are straight. Nevertheless I really enjoyed the feature on my 1947 Super Clipper. It allowed me the luxury of staying with Interstate traffic and cruise quietly and seemingly effortlessly.
Posted on: 2014/11/4 18:27
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Re: Is overdrive really necessary?
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Home away from home
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I live in a rural part of RI and I go to a number of cruise nights a local shows. Also the wife and I just go for a drive and I always leave my OD engaged. Speeds range from 30 to 55 MPH. My engine isn't working nearly as hard as it was before I installed the OD tranny. I love it.
Posted on: 2014/11/4 21:24
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1938 1601 Club Coupe
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Re: Is overdrive really necessary?
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Home away from home
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Just out of curiosity, do any of the OD equiped cars tend to loose speed pulling a long hill at say 50 to 60 mph???
Posted on: 2014/11/4 21:58
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VAPOR LOCK demystified: See paragraph SEVEN of PMCC documentaion as listed in post #11 of the following thread:f
packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=7245 |
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Re: Is overdrive really necessary?
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Home away from home
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If anyone will post the ACTUAL diameter of wheel and tire as measured with a tape measure or yard stick AND the Over drive ratio i'll calculate the engine rpm for 10 mph increments.
Posted on: 2014/11/4 22:22
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VAPOR LOCK demystified: See paragraph SEVEN of PMCC documentaion as listed in post #11 of the following thread:f
packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=7245 |
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Re: Is overdrive really necessary?
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Forum Ambassador
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Quote:
My 1947 Super Clipper could climb the long grade out of Duluth Minnesota on I 35 in overdrive and hold 60MPH right to the top in overdrive. I never had to kick down in 3rd on any grade that I encountered in my travels during my ownership of that great old Packard. I don't live in the Rockies but we do have some fairly serious hills.
Posted on: 2014/11/5 8:58
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Re: Is overdrive really necessary?
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Home away from home
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Plus, it's so easy to kick out of overdrive, losing speed is not an issue. As soon as you feel you're losing speed, mash down on the accelerator pedal and, wham, you're in like Flynn!
Posted on: 2014/11/5 9:46
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West Peterson
1940 Packard 1808 w/Factory Air 1947 Chrysler Town and Country sedan 1970 Camaro RS packardinfo.com/xoops/html/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=4307&forum=10 aaca.org/ |
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Re: Is overdrive really necessary?
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Forum Ambassador
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Quote:
Plus I think a lot has to do with engine size and torque. Some cars had great lugging capability in high and would probably barely notice the over drive. Others couldn't go over a bump in the road without shifting down.
Posted on: 2014/11/5 10:41
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Howard
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