December 11, 2011
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The Valiant Returns
Originally a blue Valiant the years have not been kind to it.After posting this a couple of days ago I became curious of the push button transmission Xanga's Buckeyegirlie mentioned.
So I returned to the Valiant with camera in hand and an inquiring mind.
2 sets of push buttons, one row on the left one on the right. What are they for?
What are these on the left?
The right side would be maybe for "park, neutral, reverse and drive?
I can see why this button pushing didn't revolutionize the auto industry can't you? Somehow stepping on a clutch and shifting those gears or pulling that automatic shift lever seems so much more like actually driving a car don't you think?
Comments (21)
I drove a push button Dodge a few times. The transmission buttons were on the left. It was odd. I prefer a clutch and floor shifter myself.
@C_L_O_G - Odd indeed! I rented a car in KC to drive to Iowa and it began to rain. Try finding the windshield wipers in an unfamiliar car! I'd think it would be similar to driving a Valiant or that push button Dodge you drove LOL.
Great pictures. And what great memories. I once had a '59 Rambler with push button transmission.
@Lucy_or_Ethel - I can imagine. Not fun hunting how to turn on the wipers while driving in the rain.
poor little blue car.... I love buttons, but I'm used to the way we do it now. So I would get confused maybe.
@homealivein45 - I had no idea push buttons had been that popular...if only for a short while. Sure would have been easier than learning to use a straight stick!
@Tempguestbrief - Yes I'd hate to change now. It is bad enough for me having one vehicle with automatic shift and the other with the clutch and manual transmission. Keeps this ol' girl baffled at times LOL
I don't remember ever driving or riding in a car with push buttons. Interesting. NO shifting for this gal...not in many years. I would love to be able to just progam the car to go where I want it to and sit back and relax while it finds the way all by its self...
I love how nature is reclaiming that car. I'd probably forget exactly what each button did and screw up my car.
I have seen commericals for new cars with push button trannys. I had a an old ford with a push button start way back in the dark ages.
I looked this up and the push buttons on the left were the transmission buttons -- and the ones on the right were the heater. I wouldn't have remembered this, but you can google anything these days for answers, and there is a picture of that very dashboard, and the information was that the transmission was on the left-- and given the number of buttons, I think that is right! Park, reverse, neutral, drive and an extra one to shift down to when the situation called for it. (I remembered the push buttons, but not their position on the dash.)
@Buckeyegirlie - Thanks for the information. Methinks I'll Google the Valiant also and learn more about this odd little vehicle. Thanks BEG.
@oxlorixo - I like your phrase "nature reclaiming" this car. Thanks for the comment.
@Grannys_Place - I also recall the headlight dimmer switch on the floor and the starter button........things have certainly changed.
@dingdongdingbat - Let me know if you find such a car!
neat-in the sunday paper they had photos of the christmas parade and a fellow in town has the exact car but it runs and is like new looking. I will have to try to get a photo of it one dya but I knew I had seen one in town. lol
@Babyboomerjill - What color is it? Wow I hope you get a shot of it sometime. I imagine it is beautiful, the restored cars are so very nice!
I love cars and really love your photos here.
How old is this car?
HUGS!
PS...Hope you had a good weekend! I had a super busy weekend, but finished
decorating, did some volunteer work, attended 2 more Christmas parties, and did some shopping!
@AdamsWomanFell - I think the consensus was that this car was a late 1950's or early '60's. I had a great weekend but accomplished very little compared to you! Have a nice week!
I bet Mr.Dudley keeps it in a garage but I will BOLO(be on the look out) it's a light color but Im not sure
very interesting. I have a thing for Plymouth Valiants. I just like them. do you know what year this one is? I didn't know they had push-button transmissions. I like the photos. : )
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