Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

My 56 pat is a PB, and it seems to be working fine,so far. I drove several cars in the fifties and sixties with push button trannys. They were all from Chrysler,Plymouth,Dodge,Desota and Imperial. The only one I recall having any problems with were the Plymouths,which I have never understood why because it would seem they would all be the same since they were all from Chrysler Corp. albeit different assembly plants or small differences in installation requirements.
I recall going with a fellow Airman who was looking to buy a new 56 PLymouth or Dodge and while my buddy was driving down the hi-way at about 50 mph, the saleman told him to push the button for reverse. My buddy wouldn't push the button so the saleman took the wheel and after getting up to speed pushed the reverse button and then the drive button several times to demonstrate that it would not hurt the trans or engine. Needless to say we were both impressed, but, he bought a buick convertible instead.

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John,

Good to hear you're coming to Australia. If you pass through Sydney could probably arrange for some Packards to greet you so you don't feel too withdrawn for too long. And I'm sure John(JP) would do likewise if Melbourne's also on your itinerary. Pack your PB repair tools just in case you do run across a PB equipped Packard, there aren't that many here, but they are around!

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John posted this back in July 2007, when I was flitting through the US, might be able to catch up in 2011!

You probably know this already, but Chrysler products used wat I like to call "lawn mower cables", I think they have an actual name from the company that makes them, it is a mechanical connection from the button to the arm on the tranny. All in all a very safe way to go, and history has shown that it made more sense at the time, given how little gas station monkey mechanics understand electricity and wiring (not much has improved there in 53 years).
There might have been differences in the vendors of the cable assemblies, or the linkages at the trans selector shaft.
Chrysler intended on using their pushbutton selector assembly into infinity (or future bailout partner) but the US government put an end to that by stipulating that all autos purchased by the US government, through the GAO would have to be identical in operation for purposes of price-to-feature comparison, starting with the 1966 model year. This caused Chrysler to reluctantly give over to the standard column-mounted lever.
Bowman, are you from the south?

MR. PB,
No I'm not from the south. Why, are you a southerner, originally?

No, I'm not at all, but I noticed you called a certain extinct Chrysler brand "DeSota" and that is a southern thing.

Yes Brian, you get a prize - actually you get two. I have your address and will send the prize to the other PB owners when I get their address. I have Packards1 and some others.
It's only a $.70 prize, but I like it.
And Bowman Davis is a southena. Virginia is definitely in the south or so my cousin tells me.

True, I do live in Virginia, but I wasn't born or raised here. I was transfered here by my employer in 1995. Since I'm writing with a southern drawl, I reckon I is one.
En ahm jist sew prowd tuh bean huh.

I do! However I have never used one. A previous owner disassembled and cut the wiring harness, leaving it unserviceable to me and my current shop setup. I look forward to using someday, hopefully after a pro can rebuild it.

Randy -

I was just kidding when I asked if there was a prize, but I do look forward to whatever it is that you have coming.

Mebbee, I should have reported three since I am thinking about converting the one Pat with manual selector to pushbutton.

Of course, there's dad's Exec still sitting out in a field and the Four Hundred parts car that have pushbutton, too!