Standard 3 speed early C2's andC3's

[Walter F.]

I noticed that the standard 3 speed was not the choice of most Corvettes oweners starting in 1963 up until 1969. Usually rare optioned or equipped cars seems to hold more value. With near 20,000 to 30,000 Corvettes sold each year during this time only several hundered had 3 speed manual transmissions each year. Does that add any value to these cars?

[Keith B.]

Re: Standard 3 speed early C2's andC3's

Seeing how 3 speeds were the standard trans if no other trans were selected and it only came with the base engine. I can not see them being very desirable. Rare does not always equal desirable.

[Terry M.]

Re: Standard 3 speed early C2's andC3's

Seeing how 3 speeds were the standard trans if no other trans were selected and it only came with the base engine. I can not see them being very desirable. Rare does not always equal desirable.

Keith you nailed it. Sometimes some options are rare for a very good reason.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: Standard 3 speed early C2's andC3's

I noticed that the standard 3 speed was not the choice of most Corvettes oweners starting in 1963 up until 1969. Usually rare optioned or equipped cars seems to hold more value. With near 20,000 to 30,000 Corvettes sold each year during this time only several hundered had 3 speed manual transmissions each year. Does that add any value to these cars?

I told this story before. A guy had a 69 Corvette for sale that was a base 1969 conv. NO options 3 speed. I believe it was ordered as a bait & switch Corvette. Told him he had a very rare Corvette but unfortunately no one wants it. Same with another 69 I bought it had a engine heater with a plug in, now that's a rare option.

[Walter G.]

Re: Standard 3 speed early C2's andC3's

I agree these 3-speeds are probably not real desirable despite their rarity, and I've yet to see one. I attend Bloomington Gold, Barrett-Jackson, etc. and have never come across one. I imagine most were converted to 4-speeds long ago but the paper trail should document any of them that have survived intact and end up on the judging field. Anyone seen one lately?

[Terry M.]

Re: Standard 3 speed early C2's andC3's

Back when I was NTL I did a PV on a 1968 3-speed that ultimately received the Duntov Mark of Excelence. I kept expecting another gear shift that never happened.

[Mike E.]

Re: Standard 3 speed early C2's andC3's

A few years ago I bought a 65 convertible that had been sitting for 20 years. With a bunch of piled up parts in the interior was the original plastic envelope with owner's manual, protectoplate, etc. when I opened the owner's manual, a folded piece of paper fell out. The window sticker. The only options on the car were radio and white walls. It had been a 3-speed base motor car. Now with an LT-1 and a Muncie. I was almost sad that I found the window sticker. It's probably somewhere as a documented 396 car with tele column and leather by now.

[Jimmy P.]

Re: Standard 3 speed early C2's andC3's

Check out Valley Auto (AllCorvette) site in Bedford, Pa. They have a 69 riverside gold convertible 3 speed listed for sale.

[Glenn B.]

Re: Standard 3 speed early C2's andC3's

Some 3 speed cars, still have their original transmissions.

I have a customer in the Bronx who has a Lemans Blue, bright blue interior 69 convertible, that's an original 3 speed car. Another customer, has a 68 3 speed car. He's been trying to find a usable 68 3 speed console for it for years.

A good friend of mine is doing a body off on a 67 3 speed coupe right now. His father bought it from the original owner, in 1985. Besides the 3 speed, the car has an AM/FM, Speed Minder speedometer, head rest seats, and shoulder belts. The car does still have it's tank sticker, and I think the P-O-P too.

Back in the 70's, a friend owned a Marlboro Maroon 67 3 speed convertible. In the late 70's, he replaced it with a 56 Chevrolet, so that he had something he could take both of his kids with him in. I wouldn't be surprised to learn that his 67, has a 4 speed in it now.

There use to be a Lynndale Blue 67, 3 speed factory air (!) coupe, that bouncing around NJ for sale. Someone eventually replaced the original 3 speed, with a 4 speed.

[Willard M.]

Re: Standard 3 speed early C2's andC3's

At the NCRS Regional in Massachusetts this fall there was a 66 coupe that was very impressive. It was Mossport Green which was enough by itself. It had air conditioning, power brakes and steering. It may have had teak and tele but I can't recall. It did, however, have a three speed. How did a heavily optioned coupe end up with a three speed? I had a friend from high school days who had a 64 Malibu SS, black with white interior. The reason he had it was the salesman forgot to note a V8 and it came through with a 6. The customer refused the car. Maybe this 66 coupe had the same thing happen. A salesman got all excited about his sale and forgot to note a four speed.