Auto trans; torque converter; flex plate; kickdown switch
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Auto trans; torque converter; flex plate; kickdown switch
What's the allure of an automatic transmission in a C3 sports car?
Every price guide deducts for an auto trans. Barrett-Jackson commentators usually say the price is being held down because of an auto trans. They're heavy, gobble up horsepower, put gobs of heat into an already marginal cooling design. How in the world did they become so popular? So much so that the '82 models did not even offer a manual trans option!
Does an auto trans provide a better driving experience that rowing your own?
Every price guide deducts for an auto trans. Barrett-Jackson commentators usually say the price is being held down because of an auto trans. They're heavy, gobble up horsepower, put gobs of heat into an already marginal cooling design. How in the world did they become so popular? So much so that the '82 models did not even offer a manual trans option!
Does an auto trans provide a better driving experience that rowing your own?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
Chevrolet lost its muscle car status during the 70`s with diminished HP in each year down to a 305 ci with a auto trans, and added convenience options....{ AC, PB, and setra and setra}....However the 60`s BB pieces actually gained and were quicker with autos over the 4 speed Vettes....T 400`s and a solid lifter 427 was nearly unbeatable....A really nice car to find and buy would be a 1969 optioned automatic L-89 ....only a handful were built.............
good lucky on that Vette.....
good lucky on that Vette.....
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 3,719
Likes: 95
From: Saskatchewan, Canada
After many years of rowing thru the gears I really don't miss it. It is nice now to be able to go for a leisurely tour and relax while driving. No clutch dance required. Also easier on the car when wifey gets a chance to drive. She never really could manage the stick 
BK3
BK3
Last edited by bkvette3; Apr 29, 2012 at 12:00 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 3,126
Likes: 15
Late model C3s were/are more luxury cars. At that time, most customers were people that did not want to deal with a 4sp.. I myself am dying to convert mine to a 5sp. mike...
Last edited by mds3013; Apr 29, 2012 at 01:46 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 8
From: Atlanta Ga
Just being able to drive without using all four limbs all the time is the attraction for me.
I really did wan't a Manual, but I wen't to drive a manual and the clutch on the C3's is a lot stiffer than on modern cars...that along with my leg being ripped to shreds which makes it even harder to use since my leg doesn't work like it used to...convinced me to just get an automatic.
When I buy a modern day sports car it will be a manual drive.
I really did wan't a Manual, but I wen't to drive a manual and the clutch on the C3's is a lot stiffer than on modern cars...that along with my leg being ripped to shreds which makes it even harder to use since my leg doesn't work like it used to...convinced me to just get an automatic.
When I buy a modern day sports car it will be a manual drive.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Bottom line: convenience. You don't have to shift gears; hence, you don't work your left foot and right arm as much.
As far as which tranny provides the C3 with the "best" performance, that depends on what venue the car is being used and WHO is using it. The auto tranny is more consistent, provides for torque multiplication during acceleration (in each gear range), and can be made to shift QUICKER than any human being could do.
But, 4-speeds in a C3 (or 5-speeds for 'modern' technology) have the
factor.
IMO, "to each his/her own" when it comes to transmission choice.
As far as which tranny provides the C3 with the "best" performance, that depends on what venue the car is being used and WHO is using it. The auto tranny is more consistent, provides for torque multiplication during acceleration (in each gear range), and can be made to shift QUICKER than any human being could do.
But, 4-speeds in a C3 (or 5-speeds for 'modern' technology) have the
factor.IMO, "to each his/her own" when it comes to transmission choice.
Racer
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
From: Streator Illinois
I am closing in on 70 years old and still drive a manual in my C3. My '61 and my '84 were both 4 speeds. I know everyone has their own preference but I have passed on a lot of nice Corvettes over the years because they were automatics. It's just me but if it isn't a stick shift, I wouldn't buy it.
Maybe it's a control thing or a need to remember the old days with my first car but running through the gears with a nice sounding exhaust keeps my heart pumping strong. Except for a couple of streetrods with a 350 TH, most AT's I've had were tow vehicles for towing a boat or camper.
Terry
Maybe it's a control thing or a need to remember the old days with my first car but running through the gears with a nice sounding exhaust keeps my heart pumping strong. Except for a couple of streetrods with a 350 TH, most AT's I've had were tow vehicles for towing a boat or camper.
Terry
Last edited by tnovot; Apr 29, 2012 at 09:53 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 1
From: Belle River Ontario
2015 C3 of Year Finalist
I went with an automatic for the only reason that I didn't want to be bothered with shifting all the time and the wife can't drive stick. That's it
Drove manual for many years and had enuf.
Drove manual for many years and had enuf.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Everyone 'drives what he/she likes'. Some like a manual...some like automatics. I like them both. This kind of thread usually breaks down into the "Transmission Wars". For once,
Can't we all just...get along?
Can't we all just...get along?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 483
Likes: 3
From: d.d.o quebec
What's the allure of an automatic transmission in a C3 sports car?
Every price guide deducts for an auto trans. Barrett-Jackson commentators usually say the price is being held down because of an auto trans. They're heavy, gobble up horsepower, put gobs of heat into an already marginal cooling design. How in the world did they become so popular? So much so that the '82 models did not even offer a manual trans option!
Does an auto trans provide a better driving experience that rowing your own?
Every price guide deducts for an auto trans. Barrett-Jackson commentators usually say the price is being held down because of an auto trans. They're heavy, gobble up horsepower, put gobs of heat into an already marginal cooling design. How in the world did they become so popular? So much so that the '82 models did not even offer a manual trans option!
Does an auto trans provide a better driving experience that rowing your own?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
Do you mean asking on this C3 General forum is not comprehensive enough?
Do I also need to send registered letters to each and every original AT owner too?
My interest was spurred by so many folks making the auto to manual swap. Yet I cannot recall a single one going through the trouble of switching their manual cars to automatic shift.
Do I also need to send registered letters to each and every original AT owner too?
My interest was spurred by so many folks making the auto to manual swap. Yet I cannot recall a single one going through the trouble of switching their manual cars to automatic shift.
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 3,993
Likes: 9
From: Gig Harbor WA
And here we go...
Actually I simply don't get the point to the OP's question..EVERYONE on this forum has driven both at some point in their lives, including the OP I'm sure.
Decide what you like/want and make YOUR OWN decision! Why clutter up the forum with useless hyperbole?? Does anybody REALLY make a decision like that based on some forum "poll"??
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
...Do I also need to send registered letters to each and every original AT owner too? ...
...
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
If I wondered why someone would buy a rat motored Vette over the mouse motor, would only original purchasers' answers be relevant? I think not. The reason someone chose one over the other would still be valid today as it was 40 years ago. And one answer would be, "I'm a Tim the toolman Taylor kind of guy who needs more power. I can appreciate that.
So far, one person said he chose AT because of a physical impairment. Two said shifting a manual trans was too much like work. And then there's the 'wife chews through the gears' objection. Seems like reasons NOT to have a manual gearbox more than why an AT is funner.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 465
Likes: 18
From: NorthEast
I didn't choose my transmission, the car was a gift to me. Now, I would prefer a 4 spd in the car over AT, and maybe in the future I will explore that option if it's even possible.
My last truck was a 5 spd, but when I old it and bought a new truck the truck I bought only comes with AT.
Given my situation on how I got my ride, I have no room to "critique." Hell, I'm just happy to say I own a vette!
My last truck was a 5 spd, but when I old it and bought a new truck the truck I bought only comes with AT.
Given my situation on how I got my ride, I have no room to "critique." Hell, I'm just happy to say I own a vette!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
So, another slushbox car owner who, if he had his druthers, would switch to a manual trans.
'53 and '54 Vettes were poo-pooed as not being 'true' sports cars because of the 2 speed Powerglide AT. That all changed in '55 when the 3 speed manual was offered. (The soon to be iconic small block engine didn't hurt either.) In fact, starting in '55, wanting the AT cost extra as the 3 sp manual was stock. I believe that to be the case until '82 when no manual trans was offered...choosing an auto trans was always an extra cost option.
Why would someone choose to pay extra for, at least IMO, a less spirited driving experience that only an auto trans can provide? Are/were there that many folks that aren't coordinated enough to work a foot operated clutch?
'53 and '54 Vettes were poo-pooed as not being 'true' sports cars because of the 2 speed Powerglide AT. That all changed in '55 when the 3 speed manual was offered. (The soon to be iconic small block engine didn't hurt either.) In fact, starting in '55, wanting the AT cost extra as the 3 sp manual was stock. I believe that to be the case until '82 when no manual trans was offered...choosing an auto trans was always an extra cost option.
Why would someone choose to pay extra for, at least IMO, a less spirited driving experience that only an auto trans can provide? Are/were there that many folks that aren't coordinated enough to work a foot operated clutch?