SINCE its introduction in 1939, during which time over 7,000,000 units have been produced, Hydra-matic has regularly added such improvements as the cone friction reverse to enable rocking, and the dual-range transmission to improve performance and economy.
The 1956 model, the authors report, is completely redesigned. The basic engineering concept involved, they explain, is substitution of a small fluid coupling for the multiple-plate clutch in conjunction with the front unit gear set.
The new transmission is reputed to retain all of the desirable features of the former Hydra-matic, at the same time offering new driving ease and performance.