Abstract: A drive apparatus (10) includes a drive member (11) and a connected driving ring gear (23) rotatable about a first axis (21) for supplying power to a torque converter (13). A compact speed change mechanism (16) interconnects the driving ring gear (23) and torque converter (13) and includes a driven ring gear (25) connected to the torque converter, and a support device (17,20,32,50). The support device (17,20,32,50) rotatably supports the driven ring gear (25) on a second axis (27) offset from the first axis (21), and the meshed ring gears (23,25) have a preselected tooth differential to effect a speed change therebetween. The support device includes a support member (17) having a portion (18) journalled in the drive member (11), and an arm (50) on the support member is rotationally fixed while it is allowed to have a preselected amount of play movement.