Manual 3 speed production numbers?

[7E-Bodies]

@Bpret not many left that can boast the numbers. I'd protect that, myself.

[1ownr]

Still have our 383 3spd. Getting restored after sitting for 30+ yrs

[Bpret]

So far that is why it's still in there. The car is very original but very basic 3 options rally dash, am radio and vitamin c paint. Power nothing☹️

[Bpret]

1 owner your 71 is even more rare than my 70 going by the numbers posted here you have a 1 of 1 car if I read that right. Or is it 8.  Is your 3spd noisy in first gear?

[1ownr]

I've always looked at it from the 1 of 8. Would have to know info on all 8 to say anything else.  I don't recall if 1st gear was noisy or not, have to wait until resto is done before I can drive it again.

judy

[anlauto]

Yea, I think with the option Judy's 71 has...it's pretty darn safe to say it's one of one    Can't wait to see it finished 

[YellowThumper]

Did you swap it out because of the noise? Did it improve the ride of the car. I have thought about swapping it but it's what makes it so unusual and it's all numbers matching.

Noise was the driving factor for change.
4 spd was part of upgrades I did back to it in 84.
Also added some X heads to the 318.
Eventually moved up to 360 with same heads.
Now all 360 with turbo plans.
Still "storing" the 3spd and shifter.

[70 Top Banana]

So, having spent most of my career at Chrysler, I would bet a majority of the 3 speed cars were sales bank cars and not customer or dealer orders. Most people (especially guys) back then would prefer a 4 speed over a 3 speed. Most women would prefer an automatic and some guys especially if they were in heavy traffic cities. Most dealers want cars that will sell quickly and they can make a higher gross on. That would not necessarily have been 3 speed cars