A torque tube has the advantage of putting the driving thrust near the center of the car, instead of pushing it along with the rear springs or torque links as an open driveline does. Ford began using enclosed drivelines with the Model T, and continued the practice through the 1948 models, including Lincoln, Mercury, and at least some trucks. Chevy passenger cars and small pickups used closed drivelines until the mid-50's, as others have documented. American Motors used that system until 1965 or so, IMHO.
Jerry
