Hah! “Three on the tree”…. I drove a few like that as well, but I never understood the reason to create that kind of manual transmission set up. Why? Why not simply put it on the floor like the majority of manual transmissions? It wasn’t as convienient as a floor manual. The only two reasons I could think of for the “on the tree” design used by some vehicles was a) perhaps it was used to give the “impression” of being an automatic which at the time seemed more “elegant”, or b) perhaps it was done to free up foot space? Not really sure, but even though “on the tree” manual transmissions were a little bit strange…. they did work. I also find it odd that in the US there are VERY VERY few vehicles available with manual transmissions anymore, whereas in Europe, they are still VERY popular. I like driving a manual better for the greater feel of the road, especially in regards to slippery weather.
47 Chrysler “Fluid Drive”….Had a manual 3 speed on the column gearbox and a clutch pedal but instead of a clutch there was a “fluid coupling” similar to today’s torque converter but was released with the clutch pedal. you could put it in first, let out the clutch, and not move until the brake was released & gave it some gas. Still needed to push it in to shift, though, but when released it felt like any single gear in today’s automatics (those without lockup torque converters) Straight eight with a huge single barrel carb. Suicide back doors, split windshield, 6 volt system.
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member over 9 years ago
Wow, that looks like my beetle!
cgale42 over 9 years ago
Actually I did it in ’30 Model A, wish it was still around.
Pipe Tobacco Premium Member over 9 years ago
Hah! “Three on the tree”…. I drove a few like that as well, but I never understood the reason to create that kind of manual transmission set up. Why? Why not simply put it on the floor like the majority of manual transmissions? It wasn’t as convienient as a floor manual. The only two reasons I could think of for the “on the tree” design used by some vehicles was a) perhaps it was used to give the “impression” of being an automatic which at the time seemed more “elegant”, or b) perhaps it was done to free up foot space? Not really sure, but even though “on the tree” manual transmissions were a little bit strange…. they did work. I also find it odd that in the US there are VERY VERY few vehicles available with manual transmissions anymore, whereas in Europe, they are still VERY popular. I like driving a manual better for the greater feel of the road, especially in regards to slippery weather.
Rose Madder Premium Member over 9 years ago
’53 Chevy in the empty school parking lot.
Dr_Fogg over 9 years ago
My first car… 63 bug
neverenoughgold over 9 years ago
If man was intended to manually shift gears, he would never have created hydraulic fluid…
gaslightguy over 9 years ago
I can’t drive an automatic.
Sailor46 USN 65-95 over 9 years ago
1958 Chevy Apache 1500 & 1958 Ford Fairlane!
wes tnt over 9 years ago
47 Chrysler “Fluid Drive”….Had a manual 3 speed on the column gearbox and a clutch pedal but instead of a clutch there was a “fluid coupling” similar to today’s torque converter but was released with the clutch pedal. you could put it in first, let out the clutch, and not move until the brake was released & gave it some gas. Still needed to push it in to shift, though, but when released it felt like any single gear in today’s automatics (those without lockup torque converters) Straight eight with a huge single barrel carb. Suicide back doors, split windshield, 6 volt system.
darthnul over 9 years ago
’62 Triumph TR3. I had to learn to double-clutch that thing in order to downshift…
Satiricat over 9 years ago
Jim Kerner over 9 years ago
I heard on the news that a guy was trying to steal a corvette but couldn’t do it because it was a stick! LOL.
up2trixx over 9 years ago
1987 Nissan Pathfinder. I was 15 years old. Dad got drunk, told me I had to drive. That clutch took some heat, let me tell you!
For what it’s worth, I don’t think you can even still buy a manual Ferrari anymore, and if you can it won’t be for long.