Did Ford make a 2 speed automatic transmission?
Yes. Ford did produce a two-speed automatic transmission, most notably the Ford-O-Matic, which debuted in 1958 and was used through the early 1960s. This marked Ford’s first mass-market automatic offering with two forward gears, before the company moved on to three-speed designs.
Historical overview of Ford's two-speed automatics
Below are the key points about Ford’s early two-speed automatic transmissions and how they fit into the company’s lineup.
- Ford-O-Matic (introduced 1958) — Ford’s first widely adopted two-speed automatic. It offered two forward gears (Low and Drive) in addition to the reverse, using a hydraulic valve body and a torque converter to shift automatically.
- Placement in Ford’s lineup — The Ford-O-Matic was offered across many Ford and related models in the late 1950s and early 1960s, providing a simpler alternative to later three-speed automatics.
- Transition to three-speed designs — By the mid-1960s, Ford phased in three-speed automatics (notably Cruise-O-Matic and its successors), reducing the prevalence of two-speed units in mainstream models.
In practical terms, the two-speed automatic served as a bridge technology for Ford, delivering easier operation for customers while evolving toward more flexible and efficient three- and four-speed automatics in subsequent decades.
How it worked and why it faded
Two-speed automatics like the Ford-O-Matic used a planetary gearset and a hydraulic valve body controlled by the engine’s oil pressure to select gears. The arrangement provided an economical, driver-friendly alternative to manual transmissions but offered fewer ratios and less refined acceleration and fuel economy than later automatics.
Technical basics
The system relied on a torque converter for torque multiplication and a simple gearset to deliver two forward speeds. Shifts were automatic, but the limited gearing meant the engine often operated further from its optimum RPM range than later three-speed designs.
Why the concept faded
The move to three-speed automatics (and later more advanced torque-converter and electronic controls) offered smoother gear transitions, better fuel economy, improved acceleration, and greater overall versatility for varied driving conditions. As manufacturing costs and consumer expectations evolved, the two-speed layout largely disappeared from mainstream Ford models.
Summary
Ford did indeed manufacture a two-speed automatic—the Ford-O-Matic—starting in 1958. It represented Ford’s early push into automated transmissions, pairing two forward gears with a hydraulic control system. Over time, Ford shifted to three-speed automatics, phasing out the two-speed design as engineering, efficiency, and consumer preferences evolved. This period marks a transitional chapter in Ford’s transmission history, bridging manual-era simplicity and the modern, multi-speed automatics that followed.
What cars came with a 2 speed Powerglide?
The Powerglide is a two-speed automatic transmission designed by General Motors. It was available primarily on Chevrolet from January 1950 through 1973, although some Pontiac models also used this automatic transmission after the fire at the Hydra-Matic factory in 1953.
Did Ford ever have a two-speed transmission?
The Fordomatic two-speed transmission was introduced in 1959. A simplified version of the Cruise- O-Matic, it combined a torque connector and a compound planetary gear set.
PDF
Is Ford PowerShift automatic any good?
The Ford Powershift gearbox is fitted to some of Ford's most popular models, including the Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo, and Kuga. While these dual-clutch gearboxes offer smooth gear changes and improved fuel economy, they are also known for reliability problems.
What is the Ford-O-Matic 2 speed?
The Fordomatic 2-speed was a two-speed automatic transmission produced by Ford Motor Company from 1959 to 1964. It was used in Ford, Mercury, Edsel, Falcon, and Comet models and featured an aluminum case and a simpler design compared to its three-speed predecessor, the Cruise-O-Matic. The transmission combined a torque converter with a planetary gear set to provide two forward gears and one reverse gear.
Key features
- Production years: 1959-1964
- Case material: Aluminum
- Gear ratios: Low gear had a ratio of 1.75∶11.75 colon 11.75∶1.
- Torque converter: Had a maximum stall ratio of 2.62.62.6, resulting in a maximum effective starting gear ratio of 4.55∶14.55 colon 14.55∶1.
- Operation: A hydraulically controlled, rear-wheel-drive transmission.
What it replaced
- The Fordomatic 2-speed was introduced as a simpler, lighter, and cheaper alternative to the Cruise-O-Matic and was available as the sole automatic option for some 1959 models.
- It was available with six-cylinder engines and the 292 V8 in full-size cars in 1959, making it a common transmission for the year.
What followed
- The 2-speed Fordomatic was eventually replaced by the C4 transmission around the mid-1960s.
You can watch this video to learn more about the two-speed Fordomatic's teardown and rebuild: 57sGary FerraroYouTube · Aug 7, 2022
How to find parts
- Rebuild kits are available for the 1959-1964 aluminum case models, containing gaskets, seals, clutches, and plates.
- Other parts like bands, filters, and torque converters are also available from specialized suppliers.
