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As we all know Packard introduced the limited slip differential in 1956.

Here is my question to all out there

WHAT IS THE OTHER MANUFACTURE THAT INTRODUCED LIMITED SLIP DIFFERENTIAL IN 1956 TO THEIR PRODUCT LINE.

1. NAME THE OTHER MANUFACTURE
2. NAME THE MODEL THAT IT WAS INTRODUCED ON.

The winner gets a fully paid to the middle of Lake Erie.

John F. Shireman

Ford Motor Company
Lincoln Continental

Chevy
Corvette

TOM: Not even close on either guess



Jon F. Shireman

Guess it shows my age and how up I am on this stuff. I am not much of a reader. I more a hands on type of guy.

I'm going to say Studebaker but if I'm right don't bother with the Lake Erie trip as I've been there about 100 times!

Dave,

I was thinking of Stude also, but for two things.

First, having merged with Packard in '54 to form S-P, Studebaker would technically be the same "manufacturer" as Packard. Yet, even that point may be moot, as the earliet reference to the "Twin Traction" differential being used in a Studebaker that I could find was for a 1957 model - though that was technically built in calendar year 1956.

Hmm, wonder if this is another one of John's infamous trick questions. For all we know the car he's referring to might very well be in the middle of Lake Erie - resting at the bottom. LOL!

Anyone else have a good guess?

Brain, HMMMM..if Lake Erie is a clue maybe the vehicle we are looking for is the Jeep CJ3 made in Toledo, Ohio? I don't know when the first "Powrlok" was offered but I think it may have been in 1956 but possibly earlier.

Quote:

Well Tom is right in the respect that Posi (LSD) became an option on the Corvettes. But that was in 1957

Most manufactures had different names for the LSD:

Chevy was called Posi-Trac, Pontiac was Safe-T-Track, MOPAR was Sure-Grip, Ford was Equal-Lock.

Not sure if it helps or not, but some of the Automotive "Firsts" List out there on the web credit Studebaker as having the first Production LSD, and that was in 1956.

I also found this for you Packard "Firsts" People, I know some of these have been debated too death, but just reporting what is listed on Answers.com as Production Automotive Firsts. They make the caveat that while some of these items may have appeared on racing models, or prototypes before, this lists contains only items on Production Models:

First V12 - 1916 Packard "Double-Six"
First carburetor air filter - 1915 Packard Twin Six
First power door locks - 1956 Packard
First steering wheel - 1899 Packard

Honorable Mentions:

First torque converter automatic - 1948 Buick Dynaflow
Honorable mention - 1949 Packard Ultramatic (torque converter automatic)

First air conditioning - 1938 Studebaker Commander
Honorable mention - 1939 Packard and 1941 Cadillac

That is all they list for Packard.

The complete list as it is on Answers.com is attached for everyone to debate.

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