I’ve seen this same story written over and over about every ten years or so........... Back in the mid 80s the Army decided nobody could drive manuals anymore, it was a waste of time and money to try and teach recruits, and they went automatics across the board. That was pretty indicative.
In 1967 some of the deuce & half trucks that were to haul us
back from a drop zone about fifty miles had automatic trans.
These were older trucks supplied by GM, the newer multifuel
trucks had std. trans. About 2 or 3 miles after we were loaded one caught fire, driver hadn't released the parking brake totally. I think they had a version of hydromatic trans
My 1st new car 60 Chevy rag top had a 4 speed with a 2.20 1st
gear.Delivery was delayed over 2 mos. waiting or tranny.
almost like starting in second gear, rear axle gearing something like 3.78. Next rod was 1966 Plymoth Sat. w/426 hemi, it would blow my brothers Stingray w/ factor full race
setup except carb instead of FI
As far as shifting gears nothing competes w/Mack 10speed duplex trans,one arm thru steering wheel for one stick,other
hand on 2nd stick to split gears