Packard Forum Index » V-8 (1955-56)

Was going to ask this in the Tucker thread since that had started veering to transmission control mechanisms but will make it separate.


I'm curious about something & Craig might know is how Pauls Executive project where he built his own pneumatic shift control finally turned out. Believe car was at a show so obviously drives but curious how it operates and compares to the various shift mechanisms mentioned on Tucker thread and how is it to drive?

Just being nosy but am intrigued with his workmanship and would like to know if any more completed pictures of his car other than those on Panther Project site available.

Paul's pneumatic manual transmission control using the "Piano" works beautifully with over 4 years of use!

In operation, all Paul has to do to upshift is press the next gear's button and then tap the clutch pedal enough to release the load on the transmission. Then the carefully calibrated pneumatic force causes the upshift. Downshift requires a normal clutch-shift action.

The only change Paul has made over the years is to substitute a 3-speed with electric OD for the T-10 4-speed. This was done only to get the OD effect. Now the "4th" gear button actuates the electric OD rather than the pneumatic control.

Eric has ridden in Paul's 56 Executive with this setup and may want to comment on his impressions.

I'll look for some additional pictures.

Craig

Here are a couple more pictures of Paul's pneumatic setup.

Air pressure gauge:


Underneath mirror view:

Thanks for the picts. A very interesting conversion.

To my knowledge, Paul's pushbutton pneumatic shifter of a manual gear box is 1 of 1 world wide. Anyone of lesser skill, experience and innovation than Paul probably could not have pulled it off.

Craig

Quote:

Yeah, it's F'n cool!