Confusion about performance of 1956 Buick Special

[Maikl]

Hi everybody,

I lately stumbled over this online database and looked up my car (1956 Buick Special 2 door Riviera):

http://www.automobile-catalog.com/m...ries_40_special_3gen_riviera_2-door/1956.html

What confused me a bit, is, that the Dynaflow-version is not very surprisingly waaay slower on acceleration, but it obviously is clocking-in at a top Speed 10mph higher than the Synchromesh !
Is that explainable ?

Thanks for your thoughts.

Best regards
Michael

 

[telriv]

Manual trans. cars came standard with a 3.90 final drive ratio. DynaFlows, automatics, came standard with a 3.20 final drive ratio. It's in the specs.

 

[Maikl]

Manual trans. cars came standard with a 3.90 final drive ratio. DynaFlows, automatics, came standard with a 3.20 final drive ratio. It's in the specs.

Thanks, I figured something like that. But then, one wonders, why they decelerated the slushy Dynaflow even more with a higher geared rear axle...

Thanks anyway.
Michael

 

[firstofeight]

ratio

Thanks, I figured something like that. But then, one wonders, why they decelerated the slushy Dynaflow even more with a higher geared rear axle...

Thanks anyway.
Michael

One wonders why, with such a negative view of the Dynaflow, one would own one.


I expect , since that era Buick was a "luxury" car, acceleration was not the driving force they were after.

Ben

 

[Maikl]

One wonders why, with such a negative view of the Dynaflow, one would own one.


I expect , since that era Buick was a "luxury" car, acceleration was not the driving force they were after.

Ben

Hi Ben,
don't get me wrong: I love the Dynaflows just the way they are and I have the greatest respect for the engineers, who developed such a device without computer-aid just with pencils and slide-rules. But undeniably, Dynaflow wastes some of the power that the nailhead offers, does it not ? I am happy to sacrify, though, in exchange for the uncomparable softness in ride !
As to your theory about acceleration not being a key factor for Buick: That would make the existence of the Century seem rather odd, would it not ? I assume, that fuel economy was what brought the higher gears into the rear axle of the Dynaflow cars... After all, despite gasoline prices being low, drivers did not want to pull over for filling their cars up every 100 miles or so...

Michael