Early 50's Powerglide, how does it perform?

[trimacar]

OK, so I've been reading about the very early 1950-52 Powerglide transmissions, and I don't quite understand the operation.

 

Everything I've read states that they don't shift automatically, like the later ones.

 

Does that mean they start out in high gear, unless you first shift it to low gear to start?

 

I'm just not comprehending, please explain, thanks!

[61polara]

I've posted a link below to Chevrolet's instruction manual for driving a 1950 Powerglide.  The 1950-52 Powerglide was like Buick's Dynaflow.  No shifting of the transmission in Drive.  Chevrolet notes that for faster take-off or for more power climbing a hill, manually move the shift leaver to Low and then back to Drive when Low is no longer needed.  

 

http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/static/NA/Chevrolet/1950_Chevrolet/1950 Chevrolet Tomorrows Driving Today/image1.html

 

[JFranklin]

I remember the old ditty- Slip and slide with powerglide.