John,
The early 60's was about the time I was really getting into cars and working
in garages. That means that right now my memory is at that age that is
turning to mush, BUT, as I recall, the typical American iron of the day was
either automatic or 3 speed (on the column). A Hurst shifter on the floor
was a big deal. A 4-speed was an even bigger deal. And you want an
overdrive too!??
Some American cars did have an OD - I had a 1950 Ford with overdrive, of
course it never worked. I don't think that they were very popular because 1)
they were problematic and 2) they weren't needed. The big V-8's of the day
could cruise at highway speed for days without breaking a sweat.
I think, therefore, if a Triumph dealer were to push an Overdirve, he could
queer the whole deal since the implication would be that the car really
isn't up to American roads without some assist. Foriegn cars already had a
reputation for not being up to the US highways. We all pictured England as
about the size of Rhode Island. Well, OK. I did anyway.
JMHO,
Bob
----- Original Message -----
From: "John Macartney" <jonmac@ndirect.co.uk>
To: "Triumph List" <triumphs@autox.team.net>
Sent: Saturday, August 04, 2001 1:14 AM
Subject: Re: List sidescreen register
> When the list was published a few days ago, it was interesting to see
> so many cars appeared on it without overdrive. This raises an
> interesting situation for TR's sold down the years in North America.
> It was usual for the majority sold there not to have overdrive, yet
> for virtually all other markets a TR without an overdrive was almost
> an exception to the rule.
> Is this because dealers didn't know what it did?
> Were content in the knowledge they'd easily sell a car so
> 'underspecified' without it? or
> It might be seen as a sales dis-incentive?
>
> This is something I've never understood and I believe much the same
> goes for the MGB as well.
>
> Jonmac
> MG 4305 DLO 1970 2.5PI
> "Fools rush in - and grab all the best seats"
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