Automatic vs. Stick (value)

[442w30]

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I think the high perf car's with auto are a little rarer then the 4-speed car's.

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For Pontiacs, that's true. Initially, it was due to the 2-speed auto, although Pontiac's hipo image had a lot to do with it too. Starting in 1967, with the advent of TH400, this changed, but all the hi-po cars (HO and Ram Air) were rarer with autos by a pretty decent margin. This stood true till 1971 with the 455HO. I don't remember the numbers, but they are close, if not more autos built.

With Mopars, they had the excellent TF auto, so even the hipo cars often were built in great numbers with autos. For Hemis, it often was a toss-up, but 440s were much rarer with a 4-speed. For 383s, I don't think the difference was that great. One of the reasons, I believe, for the TF's popularity is the poor Inland shifter, which I believe was replaced mid-1968.

I'm not familiar with Fords to be able to comment, but I love big cars with sticks, and to find a '68 XL GT with a 428 4-speed would be very cool. Speaking of sticks, they were not totally rare in the early days. Starting around, perhaps, 1966, it was becoming a rarity to find a muscle big car with a 4-speed. I know Pontiacs dropped severely during that time.

[JQ]

I think it depends on the comfort level of the buyer.I personally am happy with my automatic/console Copo, but what if you have two supercars that are similar,color,motor,rearends, but one is a 4spd and the other an automatic on the column? I would think the 4spd car would bring more $$$.

[Canuck]

I drove both my 71 W-30 cars this weekend. My 4 speed is a bear in trafffic but equally a smooth cruiser as my automatic on the highway. The rarer the 4 speed application the more it will affect current and future value. I have a 86 Charger 383 4 speed with Inland shifter. DO NOT ATTEMPT to power shift one of those, the distance of the throw will dislocate your arm. Nice cruiser but not real pleasant to drive. If it were a Hemi car I would prefer the auto.

[Belair62]

Look for knuckle marks on the dash !!! 69 Muncie unit is not much better.

[mockingbird812]

Had 'em both. If you are a rare beast like a 71 hemi 'cuda rag, it couldn't possibly matter less. Fun factor? Rowin' a Rockcrusher is tops with me.

Just love the whine !!!!!!!!!!!!

[ANDY M]

Power steering and a stick was a bad combo for bad weather, especially if hills were part of the landscape. Downshifting a 440 in the snow in Detroit could be a bit dicey, and remember these cars were daily drivers back in the day.
Ask some of the PA folks here if they preferred a stick or auto when waiting for the light to change on a steep hill when the weather was bad.
Has anybody not had to replace the clutch more often if they lived in San Francisco?
Both stick and autos have things that drivers like, as mentioned. Guess it's whatever you get used to.

[BBIGG BLOCK 396]

I have a richmond 6 speed in my 67 Chvelle SS and it likes to sing to ya! Four speeds are cool but a 6 speed is awsome!


Bobby Dodson

[Tenney]

Resale wise, would suspect 4spd to be more popular than auto in most cases. Fist full 'o radio buttons recalls fond memory or two.

[70-SS/RS-L78]

For some reason the 4-Speed seems to be the transmission of choice in the 70 Z cars.
If you wanted a 1970 Camaro SS/L78 your transmission choices were a 4-Speed or a 4-Speed…
Automatic NOT Available.

[442w30]

You sure the automatic was not available with the L78? I know it was first available in 1969 except for a handful of COPO 1968 Novas . . .