Yes, the shift into "2" and back into "D" allows first gear start on otherwised governed valvebodies.

But this is annoying IMHO. Fortunately, I drive like a jerk most everywhere I go, and every time I press the go-pedal(briskly), it knows enough to start from first(don't even have to engage "2" or kickown) in my 300SE.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)