You are right about the young generation not even able to drive a stick shift but they are not the buying crowd for these cars . It is the majority on these forums that are over 25 that want a stick shift and they are the ones that will be looking to buy your car. Sorry but 4 speeds rule !

 

I like both auto and 4spd. We have a 4spd in our '77, but due to some health issues, there are times that an auto would be a good thing for me personally.

 

Don't knock driving a auto, posted a short drive video in my thread of my LS5 454 auto..

 

I was 30 when I bought my 77. I wanted a manual, but didn't think I would find one, when I did I jumped on it. Flip side of that coin is that the seller didn't know how to drive a stick. He bought the car from one of his dad's freinds and never took the time to learn... so the car just sat

I love that it is a manual, but sometimes think if it had been an auto an overdrive swap would have been quicker,easier, cheaper.

 

Wouldn't even consider and automatic vette.
I bought a four speed and put a 5 speed in it.
I love it.

 

I converted my auto to stick. So glad I did.

 

BigFella70, please realize the harm you're doing to Anglo American relations by even mentioning an automa.......sorry, I couldn't finish the word, in a '70 Vette.
Incredulous in Texas

 

as has been suggested above, no matter which you choose, if you're planning frequent 1600 mile trips to your vacation home, I'd make sure either one had an overdrive transmission to keep the RPM's down. that would very likely mean a transmission change unless you opt for an 82 which by my understanding were all overdrive automatics. I know they were all autos, im just not sure if only the 700R4 overdrive was avialable. I also know on all other years no overdrive transmission was offered from the factory so youd' have to find one already converted or lay out the money for a conversion which can be a signifcant amount.

 

Anyone see the 'regular car guy' video with the real Neal and his auto shift kit dealio? Pretty sweet for an automatic.

I have an auto, I prefer the lazyness. And you can always hold first and second "manually shifting the auto"...

 

There's nothing wrong with an auto vette. They shift smooth, and can be held in gear, sometimes for the right car you take the options that it has as a package.

 

Girls and teeny boppers like them !

 

Nothing cool about paddle shifters, or eating a doughnut in a C3.

 

This thread has digressed as expected. Completely predictable, kind of like the chrome vs rubber bumper threads.

 

I have been in the clutches of this thread and almost shifted my position with these valid arguments to make me a converter. But I've reached a state of detent, fluidly accepting my release, bearing on the impelling fluid coupling of ideas . I think I'll just head to z-bar at the end of my shift, and order a cooler and four puck plate, but not a large portion, my bands are a little tight. I hope the restrooms have high stalls.

 

I agree that's why I normally don't respond in these type of threads as the original question turned into insults of auto vettes. As a 70 LS5 454 AUTO owner,I have owned 15 other vettes all sticks this being my first auto, I Love owning and driving it,it's fast powerful and the torque is incredible.Any doubters I would gladly take you for a ride...

 

When I was younger, I would always choose a stick over an auto but now at my age (70) I am done with shifting and clutches. The auto is just fine in my 1978 Indy Pace Car and the only way to go at this point in my life. JMO.

 

 

A stick shift is fun if you have a powerful and zippy engine to go with it. A standard 80/81 is a cruiser and in my opinion much better coupled with an automatic. The high torque/low hp engines in those cars are much happier in lower rpm regions and the automatic tends to keep the engine in that range. But if the engine produces its real power well above 4000 rpm, I would always go with a stick shift and get the adrenaline boost only a screaming mouse can produce when you rev it high.

Martin

 

both wrong. donuts are delicious.

 

Here's my .02 to auto to a manual.

Recent on not Corvettes but somewhat higher hp hot rods.

Previous 67 Nova as first built 400 hp at rear wheels LS/TKO 600 5 speed swap. Slightly less weight than a C3. Easy to drive. Shifting was fun but a I typically drive in a rural area. Zero traffic jam type driving. It was fast but I thought more HP is better. I then installed a LS2 sleeved and stroked to 427 cube LS. Very mild cam but still 500 HP at the rear wheels. Because I had other projects in the wings I installed a built 4L60E with a 3200 stall Yank converter. In my opinion with the 4L60E with custom tuned shift points on easy starts or foot to the floor was much faster than a stick. The 67 even with aftermarket front and rear subframe suspension allowing for perfectily straight launches I needed both hands on the steering wheel. Easy to smoke the tires at 40-50 mph as it down shifted from 4th to 2nd.

Having said that my current 3 year driver (don't hate me) is a 99 3 series BMW vert with a LS/T56 swap and I would not even consider anything else. My 73 Camaro with a LS3/TKO 600 was good but the T56 is soooooo much better shifting trans.

The 4L60e with computer control is so tuneable I would not consider any thing else. A stall converter (a good one) is very fun.

Current project 71 Corvette vert with a crate LS1/4L6OE.

Hope to have it out of paint jail this week.

Again my .02.g