I see the real problem here seems to be peoples experiences with Ford
products.
I had a 1968 Chevy with O/D and three on the tree. The O/D always worked
flawlessly and did not require the exercising of the O/D lever that Fred
describes. In fact it functioned more like an automatic transmission. The
O/D lever was only there to lock out the overdrive when you were hauling a
heavy load. I liked being able to just stomp on the gas to kick it out of
O/D for passing then have it drop back in when you let up on the gas after
passing.
> ----------
> From: Kinderlehrer[SMTP:kinderlehrer@mindspring.com]
> Reply To: Kinderlehrer
> Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2001 12:45 PM
> To: John Macartney; Triumph List
> Subject: Re: List sidescreen register
>
> John,
>
> The early 60's was about the time I was really getting into cars and
> working
> in garages. That means that right now my memory is at that age that is
> turning to mush, BUT, as I recall, the typical American iron of the day
> was
> either automatic or 3 speed (on the column). A Hurst shifter on the floor
> was a big deal. A 4-speed was an even bigger deal. And you want an
> overdrive too!??
>
> Some American cars did have an OD - I had a 1950 Ford with overdrive, of
> course it never worked. I don't think that they were very popular because
> 1)
> they were problematic and 2) they weren't needed. The big V-8's of the
> day
> could cruise at highway speed for days without breaking a sweat.
>
> I think, therefore, if a Triumph dealer were to push an Overdirve, he
> could
> queer the whole deal since the implication would be that the car really
> isn't up to American roads without some assist. Foriegn cars already had
> a
> reputation for not being up to the US highways. We all pictured England
> as
> about the size of Rhode Island. Well, OK. I did anyway.
>
> JMHO,
>
> Bob
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Macartney" <jonmac@ndirect.co.uk>
> To: "Triumph List" <triumphs@autox.team.net>
> Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2001 1:14 AM
> Subject: Re: List sidescreen register
>
>
> > When the list was published a few days ago, it was interesting to see
> > so many cars appeared on it without overdrive. This raises an
> > interesting situation for TR's sold down the years in North America.
> > It was usual for the majority sold there not to have overdrive, yet
> > for virtually all other markets a TR without an overdrive was almost
> > an exception to the rule.
> > Is this because dealers didn't know what it did?
> > Were content in the knowledge they'd easily sell a car so
> > 'underspecified' without it? or
> > It might be seen as a sales dis-incentive?
> >
> > This is something I've never understood and I believe much the same
> > goes for the MGB as well.
> >
> > Jonmac
> > MG 4305 DLO 1970 2.5PI
> > "Fools rush in - and grab all the best seats"
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