WW2 Vehicles and Automatic Transmission

[SPCAaron]

Hi all, 

I was wondering if anyone could help me?... 

A friend of mine would really love a Willy's MB or similar but due to health conditions would be unable to drive a manual, would it be acceptable to swap the manual transmission for an automatic transmission? 

I know the first mass produced automatic transmission was introduced in 1939/1940 and was first used in the Oldsmobile Series 60 and Cadillac 60 Special. 

Thank you all in advance. 

[norseman 02]

I believe Hupmobile was the first US manuf. to produce an auto & that was back in the late 'twenties.

WW2 AFV's certainly used them, the GM Hydromatic comes to mind, but these transmissions are physically larger (& heavier) than 'stick jobs' & I would have thought transplanting such into a Jeep would require extensive modifications.

Obviously such a conversion would do the 'originality' of the Jeep no favours, but your friend may well consider the advantages worth the trade-off.

[Zuffen]

I can't see any reason not to try the swap.

If done with a bit of care it can be fully reversible back to the manual shift if needed/wanted.

I would think an auto out of a 4 cylinder would be up to the task and hopefully small enough to fit without chopping the Jeep up.

I don't think what others think matters.  If your friend gets to enjoy his Jeep that's the important thing.