All 1951-57 Fords, including TBirds, only started in neutral.  Starting with the  1958 model year, all cars started in both neutral and park.  Not sure about the Lincolns prior to 1951.

:  The original Neutral Switches on 55-57 Ford Passenger Cars ONLY start in Neutral. Not sure about T-Birds. I believe that all Ford Cars from about 1949 with Automatic Transmissions only start in Neutral. Don't feel bad because there have been others who spent time trying to "fix" the problem as to why their Car only started in Neutral.

54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

Early Hydramatics had a N-Hi-Lo-R shift pattern. Hi was changed later on to Dr to eliminate confusion. Notice there was no Park position. If the selector lever was in reverse or moved to reverse after the engine stopped, two mechanical parts combined to provide the park position. The PRNDL we all know and love today wasn't standardized until sometime in the late 50s, I believe.

The original Neutral Switches on 55-57 Ford Passenger Cars ONLY start in Neutral. Not sure about T-Birds. I believe that all Ford Cars from about 1949 with Automatic Transmissions only start in Neutral. Don't feel bad because there have been others who spent time trying to "fix" the problem as to why their Car only started in Neutral.

  

Probably a dumb question, but there is/are factory switches on 55 Fords that DON'T allow you to start the engine when the transmission is in Park? 

Is that a factory design or just a common result of a failure.  On T-Birds, Big Cars, or Trucks?  

PS:  My '55 Fairlane starts in Park...  

Just never heard of this.

Sorry if it's common knowledge.

Good. Most of those Switches are going for $50.00+ so You got a real Deal on that One. After awhile You forget that it used to only start in neutral.

  

I bought the switch after you brought it to my attention. for 14.00 how can I go wrong. Like you said twisting wires together can cost you a lot more. I never like starting my car in neutral on a hill . 

Yes it has reverse Light connection and starts in Park and Neutral. Even the wiring hookup is the same as existing. Mount it, plug it in and adjust. Personally I don't like to bypass the Switch by plugging the Wires together. One mishap starting in drive will cost a LOT more than the cost of a new Switch. Update the One I mentioned on Ebay sold. Maybe someone here saw my Post and scooped it. There are some repro Switches which are described as being for 55-58 Ford. Part # B7AZ-7A247-A. These will fit but only start in Neutral. You need a Switch with B8AZ-7A247 # C1TF-7A247-A or the SW-781 I posted last night. They start in Park and Neutral with backup Light working also. Ford updated Part #'s over the Years. Any of those Switches which look like the Originals will work.

  

Does the new switch also have backup lights as well as neutral & park starting?

I personally just unplugged the two wires going to the switched and directly connected them together. That lets me start the car from park or neutral, just gotta keep a close eye and make sure it's in either of those and not any other gear when I got to start the car again. But the only reason they would be would be if the car died.

That's the only reason I disconnected it to be honest. My 55 had a big problem with dying at stops awhile back, and my switch is kind of worn out so you have to shift back and forth several times before she'd crank. Being stuck at a stop-light with angry cars behind you while you try to get it to crank... not a good time.

On the other hand, I've left my 57 with the original neutral switch, because it serves somewhat as a security factor in the event of someone trying to steal the car...


Paul