The First Automatic Transmission Car to Ascend Mount Washington
On August 24, 1950, a 1950 Oldsmobile 88 became the first automatic transmission car to ascend Mount Washington. The car, driven by Oldsmobile engineer Joseph A. Salerno, made the climb in 12 minutes and 52 seconds, breaking the previous record of 14 minutes and 37 seconds set by a 1939 Cadillac.
The Oldsmobile 88
The Oldsmobile 88 that made the climb was a standard production model, equipped with a Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. The car weighed 4,200 pounds and had a 303-cubic-inch V8 engine producing 135 horsepower.
The Hydra-Matic transmission was a four-speed automatic with a torque converter. It was the first fully automatic transmission offered by General Motors, and it was considered to be one of the most advanced transmissions of its time.
The Ascent
Salerno began his ascent of Mount Washington at 9:00 AM on August 24, 1950. The weather was clear and sunny, and the road was dry. Salerno drove the car in Drive range for the entire climb, and he never had to shift gears.
The car climbed the 7.6-mile road to the summit in 12 minutes and 52 seconds. The average speed was 36.7 mph, and the maximum speed was 45 mph.
Salerno’s ascent of Mount Washington was a significant achievement. It proved that automatic transmission cars were capable of handling steep grades and challenging terrain.
The Legacy
The 1950 Oldsmobile 88 that made the climb is now on display at the Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum in Crawford Notch, New Hampshire. The car is a reminder of the early days of automatic transmission technology, and it is a testament to the engineering skill of the Oldsmobile engineers.
Conclusion
The first automatic transmission car to ascend Mount Washington was a 1950 Oldsmobile 88. The car made the climb in 12 minutes and 52 seconds, breaking the previous record set by a 1939 Cadillac. The ascent was a significant achievement, and it proved that automatic transmission cars were capable of handling steep grades and challenging terrain.
Additional Resources
- Crawford Auto-Aviation Museum: 1950 Oldsmobile 88
- Old Cars Weekly: The Olds Story
- GM Heritage Center: GM Transmissions
