End of the manual transmission?

Fox News ^ | May 02, 2012 | Thomas Bey

[Sopater]

Go to any given dealership with 100 new cars.

On average, just four of the 2012 models will have manual gearboxes.

The trend of the vanishing third pedal is nothing new, notes The Detroit News.

Even a decade ago, just 8.5 percent of 2002 models were manuals. The paper’s own automotive reporter even confesses she never learned to drive a stick shift until it essentially became a job requirement.

It’s more than a little contradictory to automotive reviews (including many you’ll read here) extolling the pleasure of enthusiastic driving with a true manual gearbox. Likewise, purists gravitate to manuals for tackling their favorite twisting road or occasional track day. It’s the original form of in-car connectivity.

[certrtwngnut]

If I remember correctly some British & European cars had 4 on the tree.
A friend had an Austin 4 door that I think had it.
Thanks for the memory.

[wtc911]

Here’s another one...i taught my sister how to drive a stick on her VW bug...when she went solo she kept stalling every time she stopped...turns out she thought you only have to run through the gears once then you were good for the day...e

[mamelukesabre]

I don’t know the reason for banning it, but if I had to guess, i’d say it was a safety issue.

AWD must be driven totally different to get through curves fast. So an AWD car will not be braking and accelerating in the same places as all the other cars. That increases odds of a collisions.

Just my hunch.

[mamelukesabre]

They ruined it. It should be a crime to “tub” a classic like that.

[Charles Martel]

Maybe in the US, but not here in Europe. Almost every car, even top-of-the-line cars, come with manual transmissions. You can get automatic, of course, but here if you don’t know how to drive stick, you’re taking the bus.

Last year in France, my car rental agent was worried that I wouldn't be able to drive a manual transmission-equipped car. They had no automatic cars - none. So I did as the French do - looking as put-upon as possible, I heaved a sigh, rolled my eyes and drove off in my little diesel, 5-speed hatchback. Did a damned smooth job of it, too.

[Charles Martel]

A friend of mine had a Studebaker Hawk with an overdrive knob on the dash that had to be pulled I believe. I have no idea how it worked. My only idea as to how it worked was that it was in the rear end and not the transmission itself. But that’s always just been a guess

The car companies sourced overdrive units from several companies in the '50s and '60s - some were completely manual, some used electric solenoids, some a combination. Some were attached to the tailshaft housing of the transmission (I think the '55 Ford used a Borg-Warner unit mounted there); some overdrives were part of the rear axle assembly (later 1960s Fords and possibly the Studebaker). One such product was the Hone-O-Drive.

Whenever I find a junkyard with some old pickup trucks, I peek under all the '60s and early '70s Fords - those seem to be the last place that those axle-mounted units were used. They are worth $$$$ to the hot-rodding community, the now rare examples bringing ten times their original price of $300 - $400. Nowadays, though, not many junkyard workers know what those things are. I'd buy the entire axle unit, if necessary, to get the overdrive.

[yarddog]

That is interesting.

I am not sure what ever happened to my old 55. The last I saw of it, I traded it to my Uncle for a hog which my parents butchered.

I rode in it maybe two years later and Uncle Milton had spent a little money on it and had it running good again. Don’t remember what he ever did with it but he died maybe 20 years ago.

I always had a soft spot for the Ford 272. Only 164 horsepower but it was a running machine.

[mamelukesabre]

hmmm

You like tiny V8s and I like big straight sixes. The ford 300six was an awesome motor.

[mamelukesabre]

Automatics should last 200k...probably 250+ on the most recent models. Unless you pull a trailer that is. Vehicles built back in the 80s the automatic was only good for 100k. Not anymore. There have been certain models with notoriously weak trannies. The chevy cavalier comes to mind.

[central_va]

I have never had and AT last more than 175K and I really do meticulous maintenance.

[yarddog]

The AT on my current Ford Crown Vic went out at 38,000 miles. I had it rebuilt and it has given no more trouble. It now has over 150,000 miles on it.

My 65 Olds Delta 88 came with a 425, positraction and a Hydromatic. It was my Father’s car then my older Brothers, then finally mine.

I sold it at just over 250,000 miles and the AT never gave any problem at all. I remember it had the water pump replaced and the AC compressor had a new seal installed, maybe a couple of other minor things but nothing major was ever replaced or repaired on it. I do remember the positraction always made a noise but never tore up.

Before that I had a 61 Olds with a 392 Rocket V8. It ran forever too. I sold it after it was about worn out but like the 65, nothing major ever went out and the AT never gave any problems. I can’t remember the miles but it had a lot.

[mamelukesabre]

I’ve never had one(built 1990s or later) NOT last 175k and I never do maintenance on them. These are full sized 2wd 3/4 ton trucks though. They might be better than most.