**poll** manual trans Chargers, who's owning them? (05/17) 72 cars so far

[CB]

I noticed that more guys are buying/driving/restoring a manual transmission Charger.

Please post what year Charger(s) and why you personally prefer the manual over the automatic.

Thanks a lot!
CB

mine: look below: my '69 factory 4-speed
reason: I like to play with the stick 

[ChgrSteve67]

67 Charger came with a 4 speed.

4 speed with 3.55s was too low so converted to 5 speed.

Had a 440 with auto that I was going to transplant but it went into Uncles Motorhome so 383 got rebuilt and 5 speed got put in.  I think I would prefer to have a 3 speed auto with a gear vender behind it.

Steve

[Foreman72]

well besides the fact that 4spds add to the options list hence the rarity hence the collectiblity

anything thats a manual gives you more control and you feel more like a dude driving it

that being said, i got a 727 in mine and i am totally fine with that...so

to each his own

[Dans 68]

Christian,

You like the manual because it allows you to have complete control over the driving experience. It is (one of the  ) the closest, most exhilarating and sensuous bonds one can experience behind the wheel....

Oh, wait, those are my reasons!    Well, you know mine is a '68, so I have two goals towards the hat trick (only a hemi would make it better  ). Good topic.

Dan

Factory '68 4-speed

[suntech]

Mine is a manual car, with auto in now. The clutch pedal is still in. When done, it will be a manual back in there (6 speed sequential )
The reason i like manual, is like Dan says, I want to have most possible control over the driving experiance, and a pro touring car should be a stick shift IMO. Cant wait to jank the hemi through the gears!!!!! 

[426HemiCharger]

I have a TorqueFlite but the next Charger I will own will get the A-833.  What's up with the A-833 being "hard to shift" or "stiff" heard it alot from vintage literature.

[RTDaddy]

The Daytona clone started life as a 69 R/T 4 speed, and still is.  71 R/T 4 speed, 70 T/A 4 speed.  Why?  I'd rather eat worms than drive an automatic.

"IF YOU'RE UNDER CONTROL, YOU AIN'T GOING FAST ENOUGH."

[WingCharger]

I plan to have a 18 spline A-883 in my Daytona.
I can see when a automatic is good to have though...I just love jamming gears.

[Ghoste]

It's just fun to drive a stick, especially when you nail second really hard and the car starts getting a little sideways.  Or that perfect third gear scratch.  Or the way it sings as you go through the gears.  Or the way it feels when you grab that big ole ball and dump the clutch.
On the other hand, stop and go traffic REALLY sucks.

[Hemidoug]

Both mine are original 4 spd cars.....and both are driven like 4 spd cars!

[SFRT]

69 R/T factory 4 speed.


I can't drive an automatic transmission-never learned.

[72chargerSE]

72 Charger SE, 400magnum, 4 speed here!! (bench seat with factory air, too )

[bull]

<<<<----------- Like it says here, factory 383 and A833 4 speed.

[69*F5*SE]

I wish I had a 4 speed     I wish I had an R/T.   

[A383Wing]

I got a pair of 66 Chargers, both 383's, both factory 4spd cars....staying that way also...the Daytona is running a 727 automatic.....

Bryan

[Sublime/Sixpack]

My Charger came with the four speed and I'm happy about that, but I would still have bought the car had it been an automatic.

There's just something I like about stirring the gears myself, but I enjoy my auto. trans. cars too.

They both have their good points.

[Rolling_Thunder]

Swapped mine from an auto to a 5-speed...    I plan on needing the OD   

[jaak]

Got me one today!!!!!! 73 Charger 360/4-speed   

I feel like a kid at Christmas!

Jason

[Carlwalski]

Mine will be a racing spec built TF727. Chargers are big muscle cars, no ponies and they were built to go straight, you're lying if you think otherwise. If it were an E-Body I would probably go 5-speed (as I already have a TF727 E) and E-Bodies would be better suited to the twisty roads where manual transmissions can't be beaten, no question. B-Body pro touring cars on the other hand would probably be better suited with 3 pedals. But for straight line, high hp applications an automatic is most enthusiasts weapon of choice.

The best ET times, anywhere, any time - constancy. But both have their pros and cons, shucks, if you can, have both! Manuals are more involving and fun, while autos are just as fun (especially manual valve body cars) but don't offer the full in control feeling manuals offer. I don't need a manual to feel like a man though lol (not like some guys). My motto is simple, if it's MoPar and fast - I'll drive and love the bastard.



My 0.02c

[mikesbbody]

Mine will be a racing spec built TF727. Chargers are big muscle cars, no ponies and they were built to go straight, you're lying if you think otherwise. If it were an E-Body I would probably go 5-speed (as I already have a TF727 E) and E-Bodies would be better suited to the twisty roads where manual transmissions can't be beaten, no question. B-Body pro touring cars on the other hand would probably be better suited with 3 pedals. But for straight line, high hp applications an automatic is most enthusiasts weapon of choice.

The best ET times, anywhere, any time - constancy. But both have their pros and cons, shucks, if you can, have both! Manuals are more involving and fun, while autos are just as fun (especially manual valve body cars) but don't offer the full in control feeling manuals offer. I don't need a manual to feel like a man though lol (not like some guys). My motto is simple, if it's MoPar and fast - I'll drive and love the bastard.

Carl and I have been discussing the pro's and con's of Auto's vs manuals for awhile now I have a 727 in my Charger, and for the longest time I wanted a 4 speed, then a 5 speed, but after talking with Carl I am now more than happy wih my Auto. I have also come across that attitude "Real muscle cars are manual" yeah whatever...Yes, I have driven 4 speed Mopars to be honest it didnt live up to the hype. Having said that, each to his own and be happy with what you have. tastes change I happy that's one less thing I need to buy and no, I dont want a GV 

[ChargerSG]

Im restoring my RT/SE and its a 4 speed trackpack stock, so its really gonna be a wow Charger for those fenderplates guys;) That i used to be, but now im on the other side of it

[Long Island RT]

Mine was originally a Auto.  I almost didn't buy it (20 years ago) for that reason.  It was bittersweet when I found out the car was not #'s matching (I was young and naive and asked all the wrong questions).

Haven't driven it yet with the 5 speed, unless dreams count!

[American Muscle]

Manuals are fun and gives a lot more control over the car. With that said, all of my vehicles are automatic. My Charger iss automatic in particular because that was the only one I could find at an incredible price of $4000 in that excellent condition (There aren't too many Chargers for sale in the Tri State area at that price and at that condition). The other reason I don't mind my automatics is probably just out of pure laziness.... I just don't want to deal with it in the busy streets of NYC. Manuals are definitely fun, though. But they're just not for me.

[moparstuart]

69 R/T factory 4 speed.


I can't drive an automatic transmission-never learned.

classic     

[six-tee-nine]

Manual or auto whatever..... I have an 18 spline A833 on the shelf and most of the other goodies to built me a 4 speed car.....

Only extra i'm gonna add is a Gear Vendors overdrive so i can put a 4.10 in the Dana......

[rich4406bbl]

Factory original 4-speed 71RT. IT'S JUST ALOT MORE FUN!!!!!

[XS29J8]

There is nothing better looking & menacing than a 68 Charger R/T with a bare bones interior non console 4 spd...............

XS

[Foreman72]

anyone have a 4spd bench car?

[ChgrSteve67]

I have a buddy seat instead of a console.

Closest thing to a bench seat in a First Gen.

[Dans 68]

anyone have a 4spd bench car?

A center front seat with folding arm rest shows as an option for the Charger in '68 through '70, but I don't know about the other years. Some should have been some ordered that way. I'll look for a photo or two.

Dan

Edit - here is a '68 with the center front seat with folding arm rest.

[Ghoste]

I had a 69 once with four speed and the center buddy seat combo but it didn't exactly look like a bench even with the armrest up.  I think the true bench seat four speed was a lot more common in Road Runners and Super Bees (since it was the standard combo).

[resq302]

Well, mine came that way from the factory so that is a plus.  The wow factor when people look inside the car after seeing the big block  and then seeing the 4 speed makes it even better.  Also, it is just the pure fun of pounding through the gears.  Although, it does suck when you get stuck in traffic.

[426HemiCharger]

70's have bench seat 4-speeds

Note, this is a conversion (i.e. air conditioning)

[Dans 68]

Bench seats were standard in 1970, according to the red book. Interesting....

Dan

[Ghoste]

Yeah, it was also the year of "decontented" (before the term existed) Road Runners and the Charger "XH" as a base model.  Three speed sticks and all that.  Not very common though.

[Troy]

I have a 68 R/T with non-console 4-speed and buddy seat. I had plans to convert one of my other 68 Chargers to a 4-speed as well (still have the parts but may change my mind now thta I have a real one). I've driven stick shift cars all my life. As a matter of fact, for most of my life the only automatics I ever owned were my old Mopars.

Troy

[SFRT]

There is nothing better looking & menacing than a 68 Charger R/T with a bare bones interior non console 4 spd...............

XS

I agree.

heres mine:

[R6red4spd69RT]

You definitely get that feel of being part of the machine!

[rick.d]

Mine is a 70 500 se w/a 383 and four speed. Its the only 4-spd Charger ive owned. I always wanted a 69 R/T with a 4-spd, and also a 73 Charger SE with a 4-spd would be cool too. These days, ill take them any way i can find them.

[Chatt69chgr]

My Charger was a 318/904 69.  I am replacing the whole drivetrain with a 440-4-speed-8-3/4.  I have the same new Hurst shifter with the white ball as the post by SFRT.  Have the buddy seat and no console.  I just like driving manual transmission cars.  I learned on a 46 Chevrolet pickup with floor shift, then a 54 ford with column 3-speed.  Then a 60 MGA with 4-speed.  Next a Ford F100 with three on the tree.  Then a 78 Silver Anniversary Vette with 4-speed, then a 84 RX7 with 5-speed, then a 97 Nissan truck with floor shift.  Now a 2009 Challenger with 6-speed.  I love stirring through the gears.  And the city I live in is not too big so we don't have the traffic jam problems they have down the road in Atlanta---a manual might be a chore there.  The Challenger is the sweetest driving car I have ever owned----thank you Chrysler.

Note that I would like to add a gearvendors to the A-833 for interstate cruising.

[xs29j8Bullitt]

1969 Charger 500 with factory 440 4 Speed in restoration.

Reason... thats the way Ma Mopar made her.

XS

[ryan053]

My 68 has the original 4 speed. To me its just more fun driving a manual transmission car.

[JeffYoung]

1972 Charger Rallye, 4 speed, 440, real U code car.  Have never owned an auto car, only two auto trucks (Jeep Wagonner, and Suburban).  My 07 Ram 2500 is a Cummins/Six speed.  My BMW is a six speed.

Nothing is more fun when driving that shifting the gears.  No offense, and I understand the advantages when dragging, but I don't "get" auto trans stuff.

[1970Moparmann]

My 70 is an original manual with an 833. My 68 will have a 5 speed.

Why?  I love manual trans Muscle Cars-way too fun to drive...

[69bronzeT5]

I plan on making my Coronet into either a 4spd or a 5spd. Not sure yet

[SFRT]

how many cars do you have now?

[69bronzeT5]

how many cars do you have now?

2 are in my hands, the Charger and Duster. Picking up the Coronet in October when I get my N.

[CB]

thanks guys for your input
looks like we got members preferring to wiggle the stick 

[1970Moparmann]

thanks guys for your input
looks like we got members preferring to wiggle the stick 

I try and wiggle my stick every weekend! 

[mopar_nut_440_6]

68 Charger RT  Factory 440 4 spd

Just the way it came from the factory. My preference has always been standard transmissions and unless it is a valuable car I generally try to swap them unless it is a quick drag car.

[694spdRT]

Original '69 R/T 440 4 spd here. 

[challenger70]

possibly original(no fender tag) 4 speed, 383.  I wanted a stick car and wasn't going to mess with my 727 Challenger. 

[RAC95054]

Mine is an original '69 R/T SE 4-speed... T7 with CRT interior, black top and stripe.  It's the only one in that combo in the '69 Charger Registry.   

[CB]

Mine is an original '69 R/T SE 4-speed... T7 with CRT interior, black top and stripe.  It's the only one in that combo in the '69 Charger Registry.   

cool! I had a T7 '69 too before 

[Ryan]

69 charger r/t 440 matching numbers 4 speed. Has a 5 speed now. The 4 speed was fun, but the 5 speed is just so much more of a joy to drive

[Chad L. Magee]

I have a few project ones (one each year for the second gens) plus the 70 /6 column manual.  I did not seek them out specifically over automatics, it just happened that way while looking for oddballs for my collection.....

RD also has a factory column manual Charger now, as he owns my old yellow 68 318 project....

[Mike DC]

         
Has anyone tried the Passon 4spd overdrive conversion?  The one where you stick an all-new gearset inside the stock 4spd case, and still get 4 gears but with a wider spread than stock? 


I love that idea but I don't know anyone who has actually tried it.  Lots of guys have run a later 70s factory od 4spd, but that's not the same thing. 

[mjwebb]

I've always wanted a pistol grip Charger, but I found an 70 aouto that was too good to pass up and is all numbers matching. Would I be a fool to do a tranny change for holding it's value wise? I know as long as I keep the original stuff that helps, but the butchering changes required concerns me...thanks

[WM23N1G1]

'71 Charger Superbee, 440 with A833, used to be 383...

[hemi68charger]

I'm with Allen..
'69 Charger 500 440 4-gear.......

reason: I got lucky and love it !!!!

[XS29J]

All #'s matching HEMI RT 4-speed  "GOD is GOOD"

[bullit68]

i have a 68 charger rt factory 4 spd,console.i ran it as a hemi clone with a 4.10 dana 60 for the last ten years.i purchased the passon overdrive "guts"for the trans.i like the overdrive factor for the highway(it makes the 4.10 gears feel like 3.23's),but i dont like it from a performance aspect.there is too much spread between gears.too much rpm drop.it would be good behind a 500" plus stroker motor with a nice flat torque curve though.i also have a factory 69 426 hemi 4 spd charger rt project i have yet to restore or drive.i have a 66 charger hemi auto project and a 70 charger rt 440 sixpack auto driver.so i have two of each.i have been driving the 68 for the last ten years and have recently been driving the 70 with the auto.the 4 spd's are fun ,but the auto's have their merits also.it was actually a refreshing change to drive the auto.

[charger490]

i have a 66 charger with a 4sp but i also drive trucks with 9 sp 10 sp 13 sp and one old mack with two levers 20 sp where you had to stick one hand through the sterring wheel to shift it.when i drive an autmatic i tend  to push the clutch in but its not there.

[Supercharged Riot]

Add me to ths list.

Mine used to be a slant 6 car that was also manual on the column.

2 owners before me swapped it out into an A833

driving automatics makes me feel like im missing something.

Id have to say that Im lucky to find a manual Charger. pretty rare to me

[moparchris]

2 4 speeds for me: 68 Hemi Charger R/T (red/ white guts)
                          69 Hemi Charger 500 (green/green)

[CB]

 

nice!!