From 1in 3 to 1 in 200. Say it ain’t so

[3798j]

Talking about dailies, mine for the last 6 years is a manual Golf "R". Hard for me to imagine a more fun evey day ride. Gobs of torque and horsepower in an all wheel drive "hot hatch"...with the typical light and easy to operate VW clutch and shifter that makes anyone look like a professional. Sadly, VW has discontinued the manual.

 

[NutmegCT]

Speaking of manual ... does anybody remember the VW "Auto-stick" gearbox? No clutch pedal, torque converter, and vacuum operated clutch.

Vintage R&T Road Test: 1968 VW 1500 Automatic - Where's The "Automatic Stickshift"? - Curbside Classic

Before I jump into the commentary on this review, it’s worth noting that this car was identified as a “VW Automatic”, and the badge on the rear engine lid reads […]

www.curbsideclassic.com

 

[3798j]

Speaking of manual ... does anybody remember the VW "Auto-stick" gearbox? No clutch pedal, torque converter, and vacuum operated clutch.

Vintage R&T Road Test: 1968 VW 1500 Automatic - Where's The "Automatic Stickshift"? - Curbside Classic

Before I jump into the commentary on this review, it’s worth noting that this car was identified as a “VW Automatic”, and the badge on the rear engine lid reads […]

www.curbsideclassic.com

Yes. It was a friend's mother who had one. Impressive how well it worked.

 

[AngliaGT]

I remember the Porsche "Sportomatic" - drove one & wasn't impressed.

 

[Gliderman8]

Speaking of manual ... does anybody remember the VW "Auto-stick" gearbox? No clutch pedal, torque converter, and vacuum operated clutch.

Vintage R&T Road Test: 1968 VW 1500 Automatic - Where's The "Automatic Stickshift"? - Curbside Classic

Before I jump into the commentary on this review, it’s worth noting that this car was identified as a “VW Automatic”, and the badge on the rear engine lid reads […]

www.curbsideclassic.com

Yes I do. Drove a VW Squareback that had it

 

[NutmegCT]

Similar to the Sax-o-mat of Italy/Germany. The "Hydrak" of Mercedes-Benz seems like an upscaled version of the idea.

The whole concept of mechanical "transmissions" has fascinated me since high school. Long live the Wilson Pre-Selector!

 

[Gliderman8]

Speaking of manual ... does anybody remember the VW "Auto-stick" gearbox? No clutch pedal, torque converter, and vacuum operated clutch.

Vintage R&T Road Test: 1968 VW 1500 Automatic - Where's The "Automatic Stickshift"? - Curbside Classic

Before I jump into the commentary on this review, it’s worth noting that this car was identified as a “VW Automatic”, and the badge on the rear engine lid reads […]

www.curbsideclassic.com

Ok, do you remember push button shift cars?

 

[NutmegCT]

1960 Plymouth Valiant! (and many other Chrysler cars of that time)

Vintage Motor Life Reviews: 1960 Valiant - "It Will Corner As Well As A Good Gran Turismo" But "Some Defects In Assembly" - Curbside Classic

Given how fundamentally similar most full-sized American cars were, it’s refreshing to see how relatively different their 1960 compacts came out, given that they all had roughly the same brief. […]

www.curbsideclassic.com

 

[3798j]

Got a bit of connection to the two previous posts. First car I ever drove was the family's pushbutton equiped'63 Plymouth Belvedere station wagon. Grandfather bought a new '60 Valiant...he always purchased new but always manuals and very low optioned. This kid thought it was neat that Grandpa had a floor shift...just like the sports cars did.

 

[John Turney]

Ok, do you remember push button shift cars?

View attachment 109532

My first car was a 1963 Plymouth Valiant with push buttons and slant 6. My most lasting memory is of me leaving Treasure Island (San Francisco Bay) via the Bay Bridge. I looked back, it looked clear and I floored it. A couple of seconds later, I hear a very loud horn, looked in the rear view mirror and saw only the flat chrome of a truck bumper. So I sold the '63 and bought a new '70 Duster 340.

 

[Gliderman8]

My first car was a 1963 Plymouth Valiant with push buttons and slant 6. My most lasting memory is of me leaving Treasure Island (San Francisco Bay) via the Bay Bridge. I looked back, it looked clear and I floored it. A couple of seconds later, I hear a very loud horn, looked in the rear view mirror and saw only the flat chrome of a truck bumper. So I sold the '63 and bought a new '70 Duster 340.

As long as you weren't hurt it was worth getting rear ended for the Duster