Re: [FWDLK] Barrett Jackson Max Wedge

I was 16 in 1956 and an active member of a family owned Dodge Plymouth Dealership in a small town called Robesonia Pa. We sold 600 to 700 new cars a year and at the end of the model year Chrysler would add accessories and change items that we had not ordered. I distinctly remember driving our first 56 C.R. 3 speed too see how much faster it was off the line (being a drag racer) in the last 56 model production we received seven or eight Dodge's with torqueflite but no Plymouths. The five button cluster was in the same housing as the four, but the 1 and 2 were across the bottom where the low button was. I can positively say that they were factory produced near the end of the model run! In about three weeks we were receiving our 57 models and 95% were TF so they were now common place.

Just to complicate this issue.
I installed a 727 TorqueFlite in my 56 Dodge. Prior to that, I explored
using a cast iron TorqueFlite, because it did not require an adapter.
The largest issue using a cast iron TF is that the transmission
crossmember mounting point on the trans is about 3 inches farther back
than for the PowerFlite. This then requires relocation of the cross
member mounting brackets on the frame to be relocated 3 inches farther
back. These frame brackets had tabs that fit into locating slots on the
frame when welded into place at the factory. The interesting point is
that my Dodge, assembled in Oct 1955, had extra locating slots in the
frame for locating crossmember brackets for mounting a TF. This proves
the factory engineers were planning to install TFs in 56 Dodges, but
unfortunately TFs were not available in sufficient quantity beyond some
56 Chryslers and Imperials late in the year. I have also heard that some
late 56 DeSoto Adventurers received TFs too, because a TF makes a
significant performance enhancement.

One last interesting note: the 727 has the same crossmember mounting
point as the PowerFlite.

Dave Homstad
56 Dodge D500

On Tue, Jan 25, 2011 at 1:42 PM, John wrote:

> Imperials very late in the year and few 300B's received Torqueflites.
>
> John Lazenby
>
> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Gary Pavlovich"
> <glpavlovich@xxxxxxx>
> To: <L-FORWARDLOOK@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 11:33 AM
> Subject: Re: [FWDLK] Barrett Jackson Max Wedge
>
>
>> Both of the 1956 DeSoto cars sold were advertised as having a "three
>> speed" automatic transmission. I thought the only cast iron three
>> speed for 1956 came in the Imperial and the rest of the line received
>> Powerflite two-speeds until the 1957 model year?
>>
>> Thank you for any updating of my aging memory bank.
>>
>> Gary Pavlovich
>>
>>
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steve Chervinsky"
>> <63hemipolara@xxxxxxxxx>
>> To: <1962to1965mopars@xxxxxxxxxx>
>> Sent: Tuesday, January 25, 2011 9:07 AM
>> Subject: Re: Barrett Jackson Max Wedge
>>
>>
>>>
>>> Yes there was the '56 Desoto convertible THAT SOLD FOR $340,000!?
>>>
>>> On Tue, Jan 25, 2011 at 11:37 AM, JJ <jchistia@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>>>>
>>>> The only Desoto that I saw listed at Barrett-Jackson was Lot:
>>>> 1252.2 - 1956
>>>> DE SOTO ADVENTURER 2 DOOR HARDTOP.
>>>>
>>>> It went for $154,000
>>>>
>>>> Was there another?
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> --
>>> Steve
>>> '63 Hemi Polara
>>>
>>> Z2xwYXZs
>>> Or send an email to: 1962to1965mopars-unsubscribe@xxxxxxxxxx
>>>
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