Drive Master and Cord Magic Hand

50C8DAN

Can anyone confirm that the Drive Master was a descendent of the Cord Magic Hand shifting mechanism.



Thanks

Jon B

I'm pretty sure it was a descendant to Hudson's own Electric Hand, which was (I believe) supplied to Hudson by Bendix -- the same company that made the Cord shifter. Hudson's Electric Hand first appeared in the 1935 models, and I believe Cord's appeared in their 1936 models.

Nevada Hudson

Tucker had it too.

nick s

Jon B wrote:

I'm pretty sure it was a descendant to Hudson's own Electric Hand, which was (I believe) supplied to Hudson by Bendix -- the same company that made the Cord shifter. Hudson's Electric Hand first appeared in the 1935 models, and I believe Cord's appeared in their 1936 models.

Coffin had a pattent for a mechanical gear preselection which like elecric hand made the shift when the clutch was depressed. This was much earlier i think the teens. so conceptially the roots may circle completely back to Hudson.

37 CTS

From what I have found, Hudson designed the 'electric hand' and handed to to Bendix to build.

Bendix did build the Cord system, however I do not know if it was done under a license to Hudson.

[Deleted User]

I seem to recall reading that Tucker removed the driver master from Hudsons in the junkyard and rebuilt them for the Tucker car.