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Ultramatic
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==1955: Twin-Ultramatic Drive== In 1955, Packard replaced its long-running [[straight-8]] engine range with an all-new V8 design, and launched a new evolution of its automatic transmission at the same time: the '''Twin-Ultramatic Drive'''. McFarland, his assistant [[John DeLorean]], and their team had not been satisfied with the improved pick-up of the Gear-Start Ultramatic, and modified the angle of the converter "pump" to allow a higher stall speed thus increasing the torque multiplication better suited to the torque curve of the new V8 engines. In addition, a slightly higher stall converter was produced for the sportier [[Packard Caribbean|Caribbean]] model due to its use of two four-barrel carburetors. The Gear-Start's ability to start in low range and switch to high automatically was retained, but the selector quadrant indicator was altered and PN•DLR became PN'D'LR to better reflect the dual drive range capability of this transmission, all the better to compete with the Dual-Range Hydra-Matic. Functionality was the same; the first Drive position, to left of the 'D equated to High on the Gear-Start Ultramatic, while the second, situated to the right of D', was equivalent to the Drive position on the Gear-Start, giving the driver the option of starting in either High or Low with automatic upshifts, ending with Direct Drive engagement of the torque converter, thus the ''Twin-'' designation referred to this dual Drive capability. The Twin-Ultramatic suffered many "teething problems" when introduced, which did significant damage to Packard's reputation for quality and reliability. However, over the years it's become clear that Packard's initial Twin Ultramatic problems were not out of line with any other new contemporary designs and the engineering department's program of running changes and updates greatly increased its functionality, excepting driver abuse through excessive application of the higher torque V8's power potential. Lower-powered models in the Packard range and those sold to [[American Motors Corporation|American Motors]] suffered fewer problems. Exacerbating the difficulties, Packard was hemorrhaging experienced dealerships, which meant that many 1955 Packards were not being maintained to the previous high standards. Packard offered Twin-Ultramatic in the [[Packard Clipper]], [[Packard Four Hundred]], [[Packard Patrician]], and [[Packard Caribbean]] ranges, and sold Twin-Ultramatics to American Motors for use along with their 320ci V8 in top-of-the-line [[Nash Ambassador]] and [[Hudson Hornet]] models for 1955.
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