The hydra-matic is a 4 speed auto. It has as mentioned a real short first gear. They do not use a torque converter rather than a torque coupler. They actually have 100% efficiency where a modern auto has between 5 and 10% slippage. That is the reason for the low first gear. You can push start a hydra-matic where you can't a modern auto trans. The shifts are firm and crisp. There is no park. You start the truck in Neutral and park in in reverese which has a locking pawl when there is no fluid pressure. They are not for everyone but I enjoy the one in my truck.