SAAC Forum

Off Topic Area => The Lounge => Topic started by: deathsled on June 08, 2021, 01:24:56 PM

Title: On the column shifter
Post by: deathsled on June 08, 2021, 01:24:56 PM
Apparently a few Challengers had steering column shifters back in the 70s and Graveyard Carz was restoring one with a 440. One of the show's guests Dagastino called it a cripple stick. I should not have found that funny but I did and outrageously so.  Growing up in Canada I never heard that one until yesterday. American humor versus British humour. The British humour slaps you across the face. The American humor punches you in the gut. Both are great.
Title: Re: On the column shifter
Post by: honker on June 08, 2021, 04:01:16 PM
I had a 66 Chevy wagon beater in the early '70s with what we called "3 on the tree"   ::) I'm in Canada.

Mike
Title: Re: On the column shifter
Post by: deathsled on June 08, 2021, 07:45:12 PM
Yes, I always knew it as three on the tree.  A little more benign than the other descriptor.  But we were tougher in times past compared to today.
Title: Re: On the column shifter
Post by: roddster on June 09, 2021, 10:30:17 AM
I worked at Chrysler's Chicago pre-delivery center,June of 1970 to January of  1975. Seen quite a few cool muscle cars with the column shifter automatic. 'Cudas, Challengers, Chargers, Super Bees, Road Runners, GTXs.  Seems certain dealers did not recheck their factory order forms.
Title: Re: On the column shifter
Post by: whiteykr on June 10, 2021, 02:59:27 AM
I still drive a 68 F100 with 3 on the tree and love it. People give me the thumbs up  in approval anytime I drive it.
Title: Re: On the column shifter
Post by: KR500 on June 10, 2021, 09:45:55 AM
My brother had a 71 Challenger that had some unusual options ( quit a few actually ) one combo was it was a 340 A/T car with a column shift and a bench seat. I had a 1970 F100 with a 3 on the tree. The problem with some vehicles with a three on the tree was a fast shift to second was hard on your knuckles. 

Rodney
Title: Re: On the column shifter
Post by: 98SVT - was 06GT on June 10, 2021, 11:16:45 PM
Automatics on the column was the norm when no console was ordered. Sticks were all on the floor on the muscle cars. My old 190D Mercedes had a 4 speed on the tree. My 67 Bronco was my last car with a column shifted stick.
Title: Re: On the column shifter
Post by: Side-Oilers on June 10, 2021, 11:49:15 PM
How quick was that MB in the quarter?  Less than an hour?

Was there a ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ-Stock class it could run in?