Rambler’s “E-Stick” transmission, which has been acclaimed one of the outstanding engineering developments for the ’62 model year, resulted from an extensive development and evaluation program. The evaluation phase included a fleet of test cars which determined the efficiency of the “E-Stick” for city traffic operation and the many operational considerations involved in cross-country driving. The device was thoroughly proven from the standpoint of performance and dependability at our Proving Ground at Burlington, Wisconsin, in addition to the clutch engagement tests at Pikes Peak. Hill-climbing and down-shifting characteristics were tested exhaustively in the San Francisco area. In the bench test period, special attention was paid to testing of individual components to insure reliability under all conditions, including cold-room procedures.
The “E-Stick” achieved one of our basic objectives in that it is substantially lower in cost compared with an automatic transmission of a similar European system. The initial price to the car buyer is about one-third the cost of a fully automatic transmission. In addition, the system provides unusual reliability under all operating conditions. The combination of a springless clutch, responding to an accurately calibrated control system, provides a relatively trouble-free design.
In every way, the initial objectives of our program have been met. As the letter “E” in “E-Stick” denotes—ease, efficiency and economical operation.