First year 4-speed?

[442w30]

Hi...what's the first year Chevrolet installed a 4-speed in a big car? I'm guessing 1959.

What about floor-shifted 3-speed manual? For this one, I have no idea.

Thanks!

[m22mike]

I asked that same question to a local big car guy that grew up with those cars, and he also thought it was 1959 for big Chevrolets.
Vern, you know ?

Mike

[elcamino72]

I think it was 1957 mid way through the production year.

[m22mike]

If you look here http://www.348-409.com/1959factpage.html and check the 59 higlights they list 4 speed, I do not see it in earlier years.
I will keep digging, I am staying with 59.. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/naughty.gif[/img]

[Verne_Frantz]

1959 was the first year for it to be an RPO in a Passenger car. (no production totals available) They were the same trans that was used in the Corvette (all close ratio) and used the longer shift rods. Only available on the 348s and the two F.I. 283s. Dealers installed them in '57s and '58s though.

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[69B Z28]

Actually, I think 1958 was the first year you could get a 4-speed in the full size Chevrolets.
They show it as an option in the 1958 literature and I remember my Dad saying he was disappointed
it was offered a year after he ordered his new 1957.

[Verne_Frantz]

There is an RPO # listed for '58 but with no pricing. I don't believe any were made at the factories. My opinion is that they were shipped in the car for the dealer to install. I have a TSB somewhere that lists all the parts required to do the conversion.

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/flag.gif[/img]

[442w30]

Thanks for the replies so far.


Verne, when did they start keeping production records for 4-speeds? I'm guessing 1962?

I remember as a kid there was an article on a '57 Fuelie that had a 4-speed, but they said it was dealer-installed. And I think there was a Collectible Automobile magazine that had a '58 Fuelie convertible with the same thing. I just wasn't sure because most of the literature shows 1959 was the first year (at least from the factory).

[Verne_Frantz]

The first production totals I have for a 4-speed transmission (other than Corvette) are for 1961. Prod: 7,073. 1962 Prod: 25,448. Quite a jump. 1963 Prod: 43,138. 1964 Prod: 48,470. Those numbers are for Regular Passenger. The Corvair numbers are much higher!

Verne [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]

[m22mike]

Thanks Vern, that is what I understood. sYc has the smart guys.. [img]<<GRAEMLIN_URL>>/biggthumpup.gif[/img]