1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk Stock Engine Road Test

Take a ride in a 1956 Studebaker Golden Hawk with the Packard Twin-Ultramatic transmission.

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[packardnut]

Oh, My pleasure! I used to think that too until somone clued me in, and also after I did some research. Its interesting to note, that Packard was the first to use this kind of automatic technology 20 to 25 years before other manufactureres picked up on that idea. I think that Chrysler was the first to incorporate that technology after Packard. And, interestingly enough, Packard did this in 1943!! WOW!

[56sghor]

@packardnut When I had my transmission rebuilt in the mid 1980s, the rebuilder commented on the direct lockup feature. He was pretty amazed.

[packardnut]

Actually, the Twin Ultramatic and other Ultramatics were always 2 speeds, What you think is the 2nd shift, is really the direct lockup clutch engaging and transmitting power directly to the rear wheels. if Packard had held on past 1956, the 1957 Ultramatic would have been a 3 speed automatic as Packard had been planning.

[56sghor]

@packardnut Thank you for supplying that information on the Twin-Ultramatic.

[57silver]

True muscle years ahead of its time and beautiful , great cars

[packardnut]

1949 Sorry for the typo's. Chrysler I think, first used that in 1972 or 1973. The idea of a dry direct lock up clutch in the torque converter that is.