If you drive a modern vehicle, your transmission likely has over 800 parts, making it the most complex of your car’s systems. And while earthly transmissions may have been simpler, they addressed the same challenge: how to transfer power from the engine to the wheels.

With so many classic cars on the road today, we thought now would be a great time to review the evolution of the auto transmission, from early chain-drive systems to gearless continuous variable transmissions (CVTs). More about those later. Let’s start at the beginning.

1894 Levassor & Panhard 
In the late 19th century, the quest for a horseless vehicle had reached a frenzy. Some innovators modeled their designs after steam locomotives, while others looked to the bicycle for inspiration. In 1894 Emile Levassor and Louis-Rene Panhard invented the first manual transmission. Their design was simple and used a chain to transfer power from the engine to the wheels, similar to the way a bike works.  

1897 Louis Renault

A now familiar name in the automotive world, Renault was inspired by Levassor and Panhard and set about improving upon their work. He exchanged their chain for a drive shaft, allowing for a more reliable connection between engine and axle, and he introduced a differential to the rear wheels for enhanced performance. The Levassor-Panhard-Renault transmission became the model for manual transmissions until the late 1930s.

1928 Synchronized Transmission Introduced

Until the late 1920s, all vehicles employed non-synchronized transmissions based on the Levassor-Panhard-Renault model. The system was simple but shifting was rough and gear-grinding compromised both performance and longevity. As a solution, Cadillac introduced the first synchronized transmission, boasting a smoother shifting experience, less grinding, and less maintenance.

1937 Semi-Automatic Transmission

In 1937, General Motors introduced the first semi-automatic transmission (also called a “clutchless manual” transmission). The design removed the need for a clutch but retained the gear shifter. Simply move the gear shift and the car does the rest.

1938 Hydra-Matic (Fully Automatic) Transmission

On the heels of its clutchless manual, GM introduced the Hydra-Matic in 1938. Its five-speed clutchless gearbox revolutionized the auto industry.

1939 On-Column Shifting

In 1939, Plymouth began offering as standard equipment the first transmission with the shifter mounted on the steering-column. The design put all the controls a driver needed on the dash or the column. It quickly became popular and was soon adopted by other makers like Ford and Chevy.

1940s: Automatics Take Center Stage

While the manual transmissions of the 1940s were winning World War 2, the automatic with column-mounted shifter became the transmission of choice at home. 

1950s: 3-Speed Family Luxury

In the 1950s, cars got larger and the emphasis was on family luxury. In 1953, auto makers including Ford and Studebaker adopted the 3-speed automatic with column mounted shifter, offering it on some models.

1960s: Emphasis on Performance 

The 1960s marked a change in the auto industry, with consumers looking more toward performance vehicles. The corresponding changes to car designs included a return to the floor-mounted shifter, which continued to replace column-mounted designs into the 1970s and ‘80s.

1970s – 1980s: The Age of Overdrive

During the 1970s and ‘80s the search for improved fuel economy drove auto sales. More makers started to offer overdrive as a standard feature on their transmissions, boosting efficiency and fuel economy.

2000s: The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

The CVT is a relative newcomer to the automotive industry but uses an operating concept as old as Da Vinci. Most notably, the CVT has no gears. Instead, it uses a system of variable belts and pulleys to create a virtually infinite universe of ratios. Your vehicle’s computer assesses the driving conditions and vehicle demands and chooses when to raise or lower the ratio as needed. The principal advantages of CVT are its increased fuel economy, seamless shifting, and decreased wear on parts.

Work with an Experienced Professional

Whether you drive a modern car or a classic, getting the right care and maintenance for your transmission is important. At Main Line Transmissions, we’re familiar with all contemporary and classic transmission styles. We’ll diagnose the problem and find the solution that’s best for your vehicle and your budget.

Need a transmission check-up? We can do that too. Contact us today!