Push-button automatic transmissions were most common in the United States from the mid-1950s through the mid-1960s, with Chrysler leading the trend; some other makes experimented into the late 1960s, but the feature faded by the 1970s.
What they were and how they worked
In a push-button system, gear selection was chosen by pressing small buttons on the dashboard or console rather than moving a lever. Buttons typically corresponded to gear ranges such as Park (P), Reverse (R), Neutral (N), Drive (D), and Low (L). The mechanism then engaged the appropriate gear inside the automatic transmission. The layout offered a futuristic, space-age image that appealed to buyers in the 1950s and early 1960s.
Chrysler's dash-button era
PowerFlite: the early two-speed system
Chrysler introduced the dash-button setup with its early PowerFlite two-speed automatic in the mid-1950s. The arrangement included a row of push-buttons on the dash to select gears, and it was marketed as a modern, space-age feature. PowerFlite remained in use into the late 1950s on some Chrysler family cars.
TorqueFlite: the move to three speeds
In 1961 Chrysler introduced TorqueFlite, a three-speed automatic that retained push-button selection on many models. TorqueFlite offered smoother performance and became the common setup through much of the 1960s across Chrysler, Dodge, and Plymouth lines. The memory of push-buttons persisted as a design hallmark even as other brands shifted away.
Other makes and occasional experiments
Beyond Chrysler, a handful of other automakers and specialty models experimented with dashboard push-button gear selectors in the late 1950s and early 1960s. However, these were not standardized across their lineups and did not achieve lasting market traction. By the late 1960s, most manufacturers had abandoned push-button gear selectors in favor of floor or column shifters.
Decline and legacy
The decline was driven by cost, reliability concerns, and a broader move toward conventional shifters. Today, push-button transmissions are a curiosity among collectors and restorers, with surviving examples most commonly seen on Chrysler products from the 1950s and 1960s in museums and car shows.
Summary
Push-button automatic transmissions peaked in the United States during the 1950s and early 1960s, driven mainly by Chrysler (roughly 1956 through the mid-1960s). A few other brands dabbled in the concept, but the practice faded by the end of the decade and disappeared from mainstream production in the 1970s. The era endures in automotive history as a distinctive design chapter and a favorite among enthusiasts and collectors today.