Editing Ultramatic (section)

==1949–1954: Ultramatic Drive==
The first Ultramatic Drive was a hydraulic [[torque converter]] automatic transmission with a two-speed plus reverse [[epicyclic gearing|epicyclic geartrain]], with torque converter lockup, called "Direct Drive" by Packard. The unit was fully hydraulically controlled with a "valve body," like most early automatic transmissions before the advent of electronic control.

The original Ultramatic did not switch automatically between high and low gearing ratios. The driver selected "high-range" or "low-range" ratios through the column shift lever. The intention was that in normal driving, the high (1:1) ratio would be selected at all times, and the two stage, dual turbine torque converter (actually a total of four turbines were employed) was used to reduce gearing for starting off. At a speed of {{convert|15|-|56|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} (depending on rear axle ratio which affected the rate of governor pressure rise), hydraulic pressure overcame the opposing throttle pressure, as determined by carburetor linkage position, causing the Direct Shift Valve to apply the ''direct drive clutch''. This "locked" the torque converter, giving direct mechanical drive from the engine to the rear wheels. This became the Ultramatic's definitive feature, eliminating the power-robbing slippage of the torque converter at cruising speeds. On the highway, the Ultramatic delivered the same economy and power as a [[manual transmission]]. With the exception of [[Borg-Warner]], in their Studebaker "Automatic Drive", major automotive manufacturers did not generally employ a locking torque converter until nearly thirty years later.

The low ratio was available for climbing and descending hills. When using the low ratio, the torque converter lockup happened at a slightly lower speed, and as a result of the reduction in the rate of the opposing throttle advancement, it helped to eliminate torque converter overheating issues that plagued early automatic transmissions, which because of this advancement were avoided in similar conditions with Ultramatic.

Ratio selection was through a column shift, with a lighted selector quadrant on the steering column showing the range. The positions available were Parking, Neutral, High, Low and Reverse (PNHLR).

After its first year, the Ultramatic Drive became available on all Packard models, and was immediately popular. It continued on, with a Packard program of modifications to improve reliability until 1954, although it was mostly trouble free from the start.

In 1954, Ultramatic underwent a major upgrade to both the power transfer and hydraulic control components, which were reconfigured to give low gear starts automatically in the newly added "Drive" (D) range. Many Packard owners had complained of lackluster acceleration with the earlier Ultramatics, and had discovered that starting off in Low ratio, and switching to High while on the move gave a much brisker pickup.  Ultramatic Drive, while durable, handled this manual shift from low to high poorly.

To further illustrate the necessity of this feature, by 1954 both the Borg-Warner and [[Chevrolet]] [[Power-Glide]] in addition to the aforementioned Hydra-Matic and [[Chrysler]]'s new [[PowerFlite]] performed ratio switches automatically as well (low-to high), while [[Buick]]'s [[Dynaflow Drive]] continued using high gear starts until its demise after the 1963 model year.