3 speed manual !
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,909
Likes: 6
From: Lake Arrowhead - Georgia > 72 Base Coupe & 74 BB Roadster
3 speed manual !
http://www.eastcoastcorvettesllc.com...1001/1001.html
If I had the clams, I would buy this just for the weirdo 3 Speed.
If I had the clams, I would buy this just for the weirdo 3 Speed.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
The 3 speed was actually the standard issue transmission. Just wasn't popular. I read a article where a dealer ordered one just so they could advertise the lowest price for a vette to attract vette buyers into the show room. Most wanted the 4 speed and would end up ordering one that way.
Glenn
Glenn
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,634
Likes: 4
From: Northern NJ
St. Jude Donor '04 & '05
The 3 speed is different and neat but what would concern me more w/this car than anything else is:
The car runs and drives smooth with the exception of a wrist pin noise that should be attended to.
$16K and it needs a engine rebuild. I guess "smooth" is a relative thing.
The car runs and drives smooth with the exception of a wrist pin noise that should be attended to.
$16K and it needs a engine rebuild. I guess "smooth" is a relative thing.
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Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
3 speed or 4 speed, top gear is still 1 to 1. If it was mine, I'd swap in a saginaw 3 speed with overdrive. It would still have the novelty, but add some practically. I'd save the numbers matching 3 speed on a shelf.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,041
Likes: 3,344
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Looks like there was 252 '69 3-speeds..............
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,247
Likes: 471
From: Glen Allen, VA
I know they were made, but I've never seen a 3 spd C3. I've ridden in a fuelie 57 with a 3 spd and the owner joked that he liked it becuase 2nd was good from about 10 to about 90. My 70 pickup is a 3 spd and I'm wondering how long it will be before I put the truck in reverse to take off thinking it's first as in the Corvette.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 3,607
Likes: 839
From: PA
One of the very first Corvettes I ever drove was a 1969 Daytona yellow coupe with a three speed manual transmission. Nice enough car at the time, but I was looking for a car with a high horsepower engine option which pretty much meant a four speed.
The only other three speed car that I've personally driven was a 1968 convertible that s buddy bought at Carlisle about ten years ago. Car was a Rally red/red convertible ordered as a hardtop (painted) only car... Car had zero options (no radio either), but gorgeous original paint and interior. I remember it was one of the nicest original cars that I've driven as well... Very tight... No rattles or wind noise... Just a great car to run around in.
Regards,
The only other three speed car that I've personally driven was a 1968 convertible that s buddy bought at Carlisle about ten years ago. Car was a Rally red/red convertible ordered as a hardtop (painted) only car... Car had zero options (no radio either), but gorgeous original paint and interior. I remember it was one of the nicest original cars that I've driven as well... Very tight... No rattles or wind noise... Just a great car to run around in.
Regards,
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,950
Likes: 498
From: Chino Hills CA
My '68 Chevy Van has a 3 on the tree behind a built 350. I run a set of 3.31 gears for hotrodding around, and a set of 2.73's for the freeway. I can change them out in less than 2 hours, but wish I could have it both ways...
