neil morse

Welcome to the confusing world of "so-called" Fluid Drive (actually the M6 semi-automatic transmission, as we have learned). There is no indicator on the steering column, just the shift lever with a modified "H" pattern. Imagine a standard stick shift, but with only neutral, reverse, second, and third. What would normally be second gear is "Low" range. What would normally be third gear is "High" range. Reverse is in the normal position. The "Safety Clutch" (as marked on the pedal pad) has to be used to shift from any of these positions, but you don't need to use the clutch or go to neutral to come to a full stop. I'm sure it was the marketing department that came up with the idea of having "Safety Clutch" embossed on the clutch pedal pad. This enabled them to try to turn a negative into a positive (and plant the suggestion that there was something unsafe about Hydramatic). The sales literature proudly claimed that the Chrysler "Presto-Matic" was "the only semi-automatic transmission equipped with a 'Safety Clutch.'"

Thanks for the clarification. I did not catch the misuse of the term "overdrive" in the Wiki explanation, which otherwise seemed pretty accurate from a driver's perspective.

Actually, it's one of those things that's very confusing to explain but quite convenient to use (as long as you're not concerned about acceleration). It also, in my experience, was trouble-free. The idea was to leave it in "high range" at all times for normal driving. This meant that you were starting from a stop in "third" gear, and at about 25 mph or so, you would lift your foot off the gas and wait for a slight "clunk" when the overdrive would shift it into "fourth" gear. At the next light, you just applied the brake without having to use the "Safety Clutch," and then start up again the same way. The overdrive would also "kick down" if you floored the gas. So it pretty much behaved like a fully-automatic two-speed most of the time. I had a '48 Chrysler Windsor back in the 80's and never had any problems with it. The only time I would use "low" range was for a steep hill from a standing start.

Chrysler's terminology for this "semi-automatic" transmission was very confusing. A lot of people refer to it as "Fluid Drive," but the fluid coupling was just a part of it. (Also, the "Fluid Drive" coupling was also available on many models with a standard three-speed, which makes the nomenclature even more confusing.) Here's a summary from Wikipedia, which I think sums it up pretty well. The M6 Presto-Matic was a Chrysler Corporation semi-automatic transmission produced from 1946–1953. It was a special manual transmission with a fluid coupling. Although it had just two forward gears, an electric overdrive unit was attached and useful in either gear for a total of four forward speeds. The driver would use the clutch pedal any time when selecting low, high, or reverse gear. Once underway, the accelerator could be eased and the car would engage the overdrive. With the Fluid Drive coupling, the car could be brought to a halt in gear without releasing the clutch and would creep like an automatic. The Presto-Matic name was only used on Chrysler-brand cars. DeSoto called the transmission the Tip-Toe Shift, while Dodge used Gyro-Matic, Fluid-Matic, Fluidtorque, or Gyro-Torque. Chrysler and DeSoto sold the unit from 1946–1953, while Dodge did not introduce it until 1948. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presto-Matic

I just watched "Carefree" from 1938 -- one of the Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers series. (And not one of the best, I have to say.) But in one sequence, Ginger drives a nice '38 Buick convertible with rumble seat (I assume it's a Special, but I can't tell for sure.)

I have never heard this. I have a Super, and as far as I know the engine is identical to the one in the Special. (Although the dual carb was standard on the Super and an option on the Special.) What do you mean by "built stronger?"

Buy it now!

Trust me. It's correct. I've shown you a photo. The hook does not move, but the strap moves.

Or this (if the car actually came with the optional clock).

Wow, this looks like a very nice driver at a reasonable price. (The only thing that jumps out at me is the "clock." What the heck is going on there? Did someone paste a picture of a clock face on the dash?) 😄 Everything else looks very good to me, and it has those great MoPar business coupe lines. (Also, there is a pic of the engine in the original ad.)

Hi Drake: I don't have a source for these, but at least now I understand what you're talking about. When I first read your post, the description of the location of the hooks confused me. (Now I understand what you meant by "under" the handgrips.) But the main (mistaken) thing I was thinking was, "Hmm, spring loaded? My car doesn't have any spring loaded hooks in the back." Well, today I finally went out and looked at the coat hooks in my '41 "C" bodied sedan (same body as your car), and realized, of course, you're talking about the spring loaded feature that makes the strap tuck up behind the door when nobody's tugging on it. (See photos.) I would imagine that this feature would have been the same on your '40, but I don't know for sure. Maybe @2carb40 (Greg) could help. He has access to some junked 40's Buicks and has helped me with several hard to locate parts.

?? The Craig's list ad is working now. This is very close to where I live and I'm familiar with the seller. If anyone is interested in having me check this car out, I would be happy to do so. Just PM me. Neil

?? If you are saying that the filter element probably has been replaced in the past 80 years, I would say that I certainly hope so!

I'm not sure why you say that. It looks original to me, and is labeled "AC Kleer Kleen," which was original equipment on the '41s. That's what my '41 Super has.

I'm curious about what you say here. When I found the inside of my gas tank was rusty, I asked around (and on this forum) about advice on what to do. Some recommended that I use a sealer that I could buy in a can, and just slosh it around in the tank. I was concerned that this was not going to work, for exactly the reasons you mention. It was bound to come off and cause problems. However, the procedure of sand blasting all the rust off the inside of the tank first, and then having a professional use a plastic sealer, seemed like a good way to go. I believe this is essentially what the "Gas Tank Renu" process is. I took the tank to a local radiator shop, where the guy cut a few holes in the tank and then thoroughly sandblasted the interior before welding it back together. He told me that "nothing will stick to rust," but that the sealer he used would stick to the bare metal and would not come off. He then applied two layer of a white, milky-looking plastic sealer. Do you think that even this will "eventually" come off?

I'm a little late to the party -- I just read through your thread tonight. Wow! I can't get over what you have taken on and how fast you are working, Matt. This is a great project, and you are doing a fabulous job! I also love to read about people helping each other out, and it must be reassuring to have someone like Joe in the background for those moments when you will be scratching your head and wondering how this huge puzzle goes together.

Yes, there are hundreds of remote locations in North America. I'm not confused about the boarder, I'm just pointing out that getting to 100 Mile House to look at this car would be more of an undertaking than if it were located somewhere else. I guess "remote" is a relative term. In any case, it looks like a great car and I would definitely be interested in it if I were in a buying mode!

This looks like a really nice car. Too bad it's in such a remote part of the world!

Thanks, now I get it.

Photo? It's difficult for me to understand what you're talking about here.

Félicitations, Sebastien! What a great purchase by your parents! When I saw your post on the Electra 1969 thread, I was hoping you would start a thread on this car. It looks fantastic. I can only imagine what it must be like to motor through France in this vehicle. As you can see, I also have a '41 so please feel free to reach out if there's anything I might be able to help with on this car. The only thing I see from the photos that looks a bit odd is the position of the clutch pedal. But if the car is running and driving well, I'm sure it's just a matter of adjustment. I hope you and your parents enjoy this car for many years to come. I look forward to following this thread. I can't help but wonder: is the '41 going to get the same meticulous treatment that you have given to the '69?

The old Corson dealership in Hyannis on Cape Cod.

My car is not black, but I had very good luck getting matching touch-up paint from Dr. Colorchip. https://drcolorchip.com/ I sent them a sample chip of paint from an inconspicuous location (actually one of the door jamb light switches), and they matched it perfectly. I know nothing about matching black as opposed to any other color, but I'm just throwing this out in case it might be helpful. By the way, your '38 looks spectacular!

Just a glance at the pedal pads tells you that's wrong. Check out the brake pedal!