MANUAL VS. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISIONS...

Amy Writes...

So Jim, when was the first automatic transmission car produced? Who made it? Do you prefer manual or automatic transmission on a car? Why do assholes always ride up on my ass on steep hills?

Like most things in the automotive industry, the automatic transmission is an evolutionary thing. It would be hard to pin point the exact first. For years, the auto manufacturers worked on versions of the automatic transmission. The first attempts could be more accurately called automatic clutches. They involved methods of shifting without having to clutch or would automatically shift into the some gears but not others. By most accounts though, the very first fully automatic transmission would the Hydra-matic transmission built by Oldsmobile in 1939 and offered in production cars in 1940. Oldsmobile’s website has this to say about their product:

1939
Oldsmobile's 1940 models featured Hydra-Matic drive, making this lineup the first vehicles with fully automatic transmission.
Hydra-Matic appeared as an Olds exclusive. It provided true clutchless driving with four forward speeds. Its fluid coupling between engine and transmission eliminated the clutch and its associated foot work. Olds made the breakthrough Hydra-Matic available on all models for only an extra $57. In the early 50s, Olds produced its millionth Oldsmobile with automatic transmission, demonstrating Hydra-Matic's rapid rise in popularity.

As far as my own personal preference, it depends on the car. For small cars, such as the Ford Escort that I drive, I prefer a manual transmission. The reason for that is you have more control over the ride of the vehicle. Those small cars usually have small, under-powered engines. With the extra control of the manual transmission, you can down shift at will to get the extra torque you may need getting in and out of traffic. Those same cars, with an automatic transmission seem a bit sluggish to me at times. Also, sports cars should always have manual transmissions. Not because they are underpowered, but for the extra control you can exercise over the car. I was quite surprised to find out the new retro designed Ford Thunderbird does not offer a manual transmission. I thought it was an attempt at a sports car, but without a manual, I guess it would be better described as a touring car (or rich geezer car).

On larger cars, I prefer to have an automatic. The obvious advantage is the ease of operation. Of course, I then also prefer a larger engine. If your car hesitates while accelerating, it can be a problem.

There are two reasons why people sit so close to you while you're parked uphill. First is that a majority of people have never driven a stick and don’t even know that it can be a problem. The second is, even if they know it is a problem, they just don’t care. Today’s drivers apparently believe the road is their own personal property. They want to get to where they are going and everyone else is in their way. The concept that the road belongs to all of us and we all have to get somewhere and, let’s work together so everyone can get to where they are going safely, has gone by the wayside years ago. I’m afraid there is nothing you an do about that. (The preceding salty old rant is brought to you by Grumpyoldman.com. The leading purveyor of rants starting with “In my day....”, “When I was your age...”, and the classic “Kids today...” Sold at T. Hargrove’s and other fine fly fishing shops throughout America.)

I assume you already know the trick of using the hand brake to keep the car from rolling back while you are engaging the clutch. Some cars have that feature built in. My fishing buddy has a car that will do that automatically. If you stop on a hill, the brake will engage itself so you don’t roll backwards. It will then disengage when you move forward. Interestingly, this was a feature that was introduced to cars back in the 30’s. I’m not sure why it didn’t last, but it does show us that there is very little new under the sun in the automotive industry.