General Motors Neon Sign, circa 1950

Summary

General Motors introduced Hydra-Matic Drive in its Oldsmobile line for the 1940 model year. It was the first mass-produced, fully automatic transmission in a passenger car. Hydra-Matic Drive quickly proved popular. Other automakers soon developed their own automatic transmissions or bought Hydra-Matic units from GM.

General Motors introduced Hydra-Matic Drive in its Oldsmobile line for the 1940 model year. It was the first mass-produced, fully automatic transmission in a passenger car. Hydra-Matic Drive quickly proved popular. Other automakers soon developed their own automatic transmissions or bought Hydra-Matic units from GM.

Artifact

Advertising sign

Date Made

circa 1950

Location

Not on exhibit to the public.

Object ID

86.129.19

Credit

From the Collections of The Henry Ford.

Material

Glass (Material)
Neon
Metal

Dimensions

Height: 24 in

Width: 40.5 in

Depth: 2.5 in

Inscriptions

Forms: GM/ HYDRA MATIC / DRIVE

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