LINC400 Posted January 27, 2008 Share Posted January 27, 2008 One option I can't live without is power windows. I've heard that Packard had the first power windows, and I've seen a new Chrysler ad claiming that they had the first power windows. Now, I've run across a 1942 Packard for sale with power windows (stock, not custom). I don't think I've seen anything earlier than that with them. My thought is maybe Packard had the first hydraulic power windows and maybe Chrysler the first electric? So who holds the claim? Chrysler, Packard, or somebody else entirely? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I think it was the 1941 Cadillac that had the first power windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkV Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 No, the 1940 Lincoln Continental had Hydrolic windows (if that counts?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 "Power windows, known as hydro-electric windows, were introduced this year and were first offered as optional equipment on the Crown Imperials."From "1941 Chrysler Imperial Specifications and Equipment"http://www.imperialclub.com/Yr/1941/specs.htmFirst electric power windows, 1951 Chryslers.Not sure if these were the first ever but if you want a prewar car with power windows you now have a choice of Packard or Chrysler. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1937hd45 Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 ..........so the electric division window on the '41 Caddy doesn't count? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rusty_OToole Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 I actually spent about an hour trying to find out when Caddy introduced power windows. First mention I could find was 1949 or 1950. This didn't seem right but I couldn't find any earlier.Don't know about Lincoln either but the 1940 Continental sounds right,I think I saw that somewhere before.I was at pains to point out that those 2 (Packard and Chrysler) may not be the first ever by any make. They were just the first I could pin down.If you really can't live without power windows why not buy a 50s car? They are a much better car than any made previously. In fact a typical American luxury car of the late 50s or 60s is surprisingly competent even by today's standards. Especially if you add a few modern touches like radial tires and disc brakes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted January 28, 2008 Share Posted January 28, 2008 Packard's hydro-electric system was introduced in 1941.Lincoln's system was completely vacuum before the war, and wasn't introduced until 1942. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkV Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 No, it uses fluid and a pump. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Leonard Shepherd Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Studebaker experimented with power windows in 1942, but never put them into production until 1955. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpushbutton Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Everything you need to know right here:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfnwEgWDwx0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrpushbutton Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 Chrysler Patented electric window lifts before anyone else in the US, hence their claim Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LINC400 Posted January 29, 2008 Author Share Posted January 29, 2008 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Rusty_OToole</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I actually spent about an hour trying to find out when Caddy introduced power windows. First mention I could find was 1949 or 1950. This didn't seem right but I couldn't find any earlier.Don't know about Lincoln either but the 1940 Continental sounds right,I think I saw that somewhere before.I was at pains to point out that those 2 (Packard and Chrysler) may not be the first ever by any make. They were just the first I could pin down.If you really can't live without power windows why not buy a 50s car? They are a much better car than any made previously. In fact a typical American luxury car of the late 50s or 60s is surprisingly competent even by today's standards. Especially if you add a few modern touches like radial tires and disc brakes. </div></div>Exactly my point. I cannot find anything that states who had the first production use of them. I have seen the 1942 Packard for sale with them, but Packard may have had them earlier. I can't find any info on it. Chrysler seems to have them documented for 1941 according to the earlier post. Perhaps Lincoln did have them in 1940, but I have seen nothing to prove that. However they were powered, I am just curious to know which was the first to use a button instead of a crank.Actually I am looking for a 1956 Packard 400. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted January 29, 2008 Share Posted January 29, 2008 <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 1948Lincoln</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the 1940 Lincoln Continental had Hydraulic windows (if that counts?) </div></div>Lincoln Continental did NOT start using a power switch until 1942. In addition, the system was vacuum only. They did not start using the electric hydraulic until 1946.Packard first started using electric hydraulic on the 180 series in 1941, for side windows and division windows, but not vent windows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Baron von Zach Posted August 13, 2013 Share Posted August 13, 2013 The first electrically operated power windows were available on the 1946 Daimler DE 27 and DE 36.All previously available ones were either vacuum, hydraulically, or hydro-electrically operated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD in KC Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 My 1941 Packard 180 Limousine has factory installed electrically controlled hydraulic windows [power windows]. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Baron von Zach Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 (edited) My response was to the claim that electric power windows were a Chrysler first, which isn't the case.Regarding the question who first made power windows available in serial production, the answer is Packard and nowt else. Packard offered them on the 1940 model year 180 series and Ford followed next, offering them on the 1941 model year Lincolns in late 1940, but only on the Specials, and even in that series only on the limousines and seven passenger sedans.We're talking series production only here, since power windows were available earlier on some coachbuilt cars. Edited August 14, 2013 by West Peterson (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 Packard offered them on the 1940 model year 180 series....Not correct. Packard's first power windows were offered on the 1941 model year for the 180 series. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Baron von Zach Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 Two possibilities:- They were either available on the 1940 modelsor- James Ward's book 'The Fall of the Packard Motor Car Company' states it incorrectly on page 42, (and probably consequently) so does Richard M. Langworth's article in Collectible Automobile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
West Peterson Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 (edited) Power windows weren't available on the 1940 Packard models.You'll have to state what it says in Ward's book. Page 42 is blank in my edition. He probably meant that power was introduced in 1940, which it was, but on the 1941 models (180 only). Edited August 14, 2013 by West Peterson (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD in KC Posted August 14, 2013 Share Posted August 14, 2013 Packard Data Book 1941"Automatic Window Controls - A new refinement and luxury note has been added in the Super-8 One-Eighty models in the new automatic window controls. No longer is it necessary to crank windows up and down..."The Data Book was copyright September 1940. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olympic Posted August 15, 2013 Share Posted August 15, 2013 I don't think the 40 continental had power windows. My 40 Continental had a vacuum power top, but not windows. I'm not sure the 41 had them either as the top used electric motors Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
durant frank Posted August 15, 2013 Share Posted August 15, 2013 Hi All....We have a Member in the Durant Motors Automobile Club who has a 1925 Flint E-55 sedan that has spring loaded "power" windows. At least they are power going up.Always gets some attention at our meets.Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mssr. Bwatoe Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 (edited) The 1941 Lincoln Custom 168h 31 sedan had hydraulic power windows and power front seat, operated by a large pump the size of a starter located under the drivers seat floorboard...with a additional controls n the dash..the limo with division glass. 168h-32 had manual front seat but power divider. The cylinders were. About 3 inch wide with a separate control solenoid down line at each unit. Ck you tube 1941 ford Lincoln promo pretty cool stuff. The 40 Continental had vacuum top, crank glass...41 Had manual glass, electric top and wipers.. 42 vacuum glass, top I vacuum I believe..post war top and glass all modern hydraulic.look at this Edited August 16, 2013 by Mssr. Bwatoe (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarrsCars Posted August 16, 2013 Share Posted August 16, 2013 We have a Member in the Durant Motors Automobile Club who has a 1925 Flint E-55 sedan that has spring loaded "power" windows. At least they are power going up.The 1928 Mercedes-Benz 630k Saoutchik body open touring car had mechanical power windows that are possibly using a spring mechanism as well. You can see it in action in this video starting about minute mark 12:15. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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