The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Overdrive?

Did Chevy build any cars or pickups with an overdrive and a closed drive shaft?

IIRC, it was an option.

I don't know how many they made.

What does IIRC mean?

What was the last year for closed drive shaft in a car?

I haven't owned many cars in my life. But, I sure have owned alot of trucks.

The cars had closed drive shafts through 54 same as trucks. I don,t know what IIRC means either but I don,t believe an o,drive was available for the closed drive shaft.

IIRC is an Internet acronym that could mean:

If I Recall/Remember Correctly
If I Read Correctly
If I Really Cared
If It Really Counts
Isn't It Really Cool

I seem to recall a factory overdrive unit for a 1954 Sedan Delivery (automobile enclosed driveshaft drivetrain and I think chassis). I will check when I get home and will edit this message.

[There was an RPO 315 Overdrive Transmission w/4.11 rear end for 1954 Chevrolet Automobiles. This comes from an Oct '54 Truck Data Book that lists models/option/accessories for trucks and cars. Because it is a late 1954 Data Book, it is possible that this is referring to an open driveshaft. Earlier A-D years do not appear to have a GM RPO Overdrive Transmission.]

Truckstell made an aftermarket torque-tube overdrive until for automobiles and, I think, light trucks.

Most people who were around in the olden days use IIRC in place of "If I Recall/Remember Correctly".

Seeing as I was using it when Al Gore invented it ( ), I am one of those people.

A list of common acronyms is available here.

There's no mention of the RPO 315 OD trans. in the '54 car and truck specs dated late '53.

The 1954 Truck Data Book dated June 22, 1953 (an original) does not list the RPO 315 Overdrive Transmission option either. Oddly, that same book has many empty pages for the Sedan Delivery but all the Sedan Delivery pages have the model 1508 in the header and June 22,1953 in the footer but in the middle of the blank pages is "Revised page will be mailed when complete infortmation becomes available."

There is a PRICE INFORMATION insert in the back of this book and it is dated January 4, 1954. It does not show the RP0 315.


The late 1954 Truck Data Book (a reprint) that I referenced in the post above has entries from January 4, 2004 that refer to the 1954 enclosed driveshaft equipment and have no mention of RPO 315. However, the pages in the same Truck Data Book that are dated October 29, 1954 seem to refer to open driveshaft equipment found on 1955-1st series vehicles (including pictures of the 1955 new body-style Sedan Delivery).

So, it looks like the 1955 Automobile body style became available in late 1954. There was an open driveshaft on this model; and, 8-cylinder 1500 models autos are listed but there is no information about an 8-cylinder engine; and, the RPO 315 Overdrive Transmission is listed for the "late 1954" 1508 Sedan Delivery.

Bottom line: it looks like there were no GM RPO enclosed-driveshaft overdrive transmissions in cars or trucks.

I have about 9 overdrive transmissions from chevy cars and trucks from 1954 through 1964 that I bought off an ebay auction and am getting ready to unload. A guy and his father in OK removed them from a lot of junque vehicles way back when.

HI Arnswine-I see you have some overdrive transmission-I have a 62 1/2 ton shortbed Chevy truck with an overdrive that is giving me trouble. I would like to have a good replacement. What are you asking for your transmissions? I live close to Tyler so could pick it up. Thanks, edabbs