Living in a Van Down by the River

[freebeard]

My parents owned a 1964 Rambler 770 station wagon. It had the E-stick transmission that declutched when you touched the shift lever.

An interesting '62 Classic option (shared with American) was "E-Stick," a manual transmission with "automatic" clutch. Though it cost just $60, it was too complex to sell really well.

https://auto.howstuffworks.com/rambler-cars.htm

There was a little ball-headed pin in the steering column that snapped off twice while I was driving it. They blamed my skill shifting until it happened to them, too.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

That's what most markets are all about. On a sidenote, I guess you might know automatic clutches used to be relatively popular in Europe, with systems such as the Saxomat being even available as a factory option on some models, while other systems entirely vacuum-operated (with a rudimentary electronic control) remained common among disabled drivers until some years ago. It's also worth to mention those single-clutch automated-manual transmissions, which in the U.S. are better known for their fitment to heavy-duty trucks while in Europe they used to be quite common on cars until at least 10 years ago instead of a conventional automatic or a dual-clutch AMT.

More than 90% of long-haul semi trucks are sold with an automated manual today.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Even in the highly-conservative Brazil, now it's quite common to see not only long-haul semi trucks with an AMT. Even urban transit buses, which BTW are still often front-engined, may be fitted with an AMT as it seems easier for the fleet managers to get used to.

Originally Posted by livewire516

I do know Ford brought over the AMT for their Focus starting around 2013.

But that was a DCT, not a single-clutch AMT.

I've heard they've had to replace many while under warranty. I am curious if it said more about the manufacturing quality, or the way US residents tend to drive cars. All I know is that people I talk to here that have them really dislike the transmission.

This transmission was troublesome elsewhere too. When the 3rd-gen Focus got a facelift, the ones bound to Australia switched from the PowerShift DCT to a more conventional automatic with a torque converter, also being sourced from Thailand instead of South Africa.