If manual transmission was standard, why so few of them?

[GerryLP]

Hi everyone,

I recently reviewed the US version of the sales brochure, and the equipment pages lists the manual transmission as standard. Why then are there so few of them around? Before I bought my automatic transmission-equipped L81, I remember looking for a standard transmission L81, and they were very hard to find.

GerryLP:cool

p.s.

I remember looking at one in Don Francis Chevrolet (Oakland, CA), and it had 3,000 miles, charcoal exterior and interior, and a 4-speed manual transmission. They had told me that it used to belong to a famous Golden State Warrior Basketball player whom I cannot remember the name, and at the time they asked for $18K for the Vette, but I offered them $16k, and they would not take it. Later, when I showed them my $14k Vette I had purchased, they expressed that they should have sold me the other one which was still on the lot...:L ).

 

[John Ulrich]

In the early 80's the majority of Vette buyers were looking for a "touring car" rather than a sports car. Manual transmission sales really slowed down for a while and only recently have risen again as buyers want more input into the driving experience.

My wife drove manual imports for years and wanted a 4spd when I was looking years ago. Now she does not care to drive the Vette more than once or twice a year...."clutch is too hard" (normal for a V8). Big difference between a current import's 4 cylinder - 5/6 spd and a 70-80's american V8, 4 spd clutch.

Later,
JU

 

[GerryLP]

I suspected that it was probably a little more limiting (leg room wise) than an automatic. I know that for me it would require to tilt the steering wheel more than in the automatic. Moving my big size 12 feet to follow the gear changes would probably be a pain in the a#$.

GerryLP:cool

 

[Master Ho]

Sitting in rush hour traffic convinced me to go with an automatic...

 

[GerryLP]

It would seem, not suprisingly, that Chevrolet decided to drop the manual transmission for the L83's, since the sales figures for the L81's w/ manual transmission was so dismal. I think that the fact that the L81's were standard-equipped with the manual tranny's does seem to boost their "rare" value even more today. A cultural set was in place at that time which rejected the manual transmission. Now a lot of us wish that there were more of them.


GerryLP:cool

 

[John Ulrich]

Interesting when looking at the "Black Book" 4spd sales were actually inching up, very slowly though!

1981-5,757
1980-5,726
1979-4,062
1978-3,385
1977-2,060
1976-2,088
1975-1,057
1974-3,494

Later,
JU

 

[wallyknoch]

In 1971 GM first started to diminish the HP of the cars because of new government standards. Starting in 1971 culminating with the 82`s were the worst HP Vettes built and auto trans with AC became the norm. One of the reasons early Vettes became more desirable as those years nearly became a womans car with tons of conviences. A single model run of 15 years explains this with minor changes from year to year. It`s almost like they didn`t know what to do with the Vette and maybe even considered dropping it. The 1984`s started a modest return to some HP and now the HP race is back and to many many Vette people a situation that they have been waiting for so many years to get. HP is back, and so is the clutch.

 

[like2drive]

manual vs automatic

Against my better judgement, I bought my current 81 which had an automatic...also had A/C!!....and NO RAGTOP! I thought it would be ok, that I'd get used to it. Well, The a/c is history...(actually in the basement in a case) and I'm currently in process of switching the trans. to a 4 speed. AND, if I keep it, I'll probably end up putting a conversion ragtop on it. This is nuts!
For me, it just don't drive right...not as much fun w/granny's automatic. Besides, in our area, getting someone to rebuild automatics is very expensive and risky...$500-1200..and then they don't hold up...course, a couple of times a year I go on trips that involve getting all I can get out of the car....like the mountians....running a Porsch...various rice burners, and BMWs.
And who ever came up with TEE-TOPS?? The tops not up and its not down....anyway I enjoy driving when I can. regards......jim

 

[6 Shooter]

Fyi . . .

Starting in 1971 culminating with the 82's were the worst HP Vettes built and auto trans with AC became the norm.

1971 Horsepower: 270 HP Base
http://www.vette-net.com/closeup.asp?year=1971

1975 Horsepower: 165 HP Base
http://www.vette-net.com/closeup.asp?year=1975

1982 Horsepower: 200 HP L83
http://www.vette-net.com/closeup.asp?year=1982

 

[wishuwerehere82]

In addition to the auto trans., A/C, 200 HP crossfire injection, the speedometer only goes up to 80 MPH. Despite its 125 MPH top speed, one of my freinds gets clocked by radar on the New York State Thruway at 140 MPH. The Trooper couldn't believe it either.

 

[GerryLP]

In addition to the auto trans., A/C, 200 HP crossfire injection, the speedometer only goes up to 80 MPH. Despite its 125 MPH top speed, one of my freinds gets clocked by radar on the New York State Thruway at 140 MPH. The Trooper couldn't believe it either.

That's one of the two things I hated the most. 85 MPH speedos..to me..speak of goverment control on people's behavior. I switched to a 140 MPH gauge as soon as I wised up. Some executives in GM as well as in the Government thought a way to try to influence people's driving habits..it just makes me ad

Once, on the Doolittle Freeway, late at night, a Gold 6.0 Turbo Trans Am kept-up with me, I pegged the needle at 85 MPH, I got ahead of it for a few seconds, and then it cleaned my clocks...:ugh , but darn, I wish I knew at what speed I was at :cry . I would have been ok with it if a cop would have stopped me and told me "you were at XXX MPH!"

GerryLP:cool

 

[81 Corvette]

didn't 82 only have auto's because the general got into a ****ing match with the supplier?

 

[GerryLP]

didn't 82 only have auto's because the general got into a ****ing match with the supplier?

I am not sure; however, that's an interesting angle. On the other hand, can many companies afford to be on the "naughty" list of a giant like the General?

Just shooting from the hip here, but aren't the manual tranny's built by a subsidiary of Allison? Formerly owned by GM?

GerryLP:cool

 

[DRTH VTR]

didn't 82 only have auto's because the general got into a ****ing match with the supplier?

I thought that it had to do with emissions certification. Each engine and transmission combination had to be certified, and they just did not get it done.

I would think that most of you know that in 1972 horsepower ratings changed from 'gross' to 'net'. The gross HP ratings are about 20% higher than net. The fall in HP from 1971 to 1973 is partly artificial.

 

[hdkeno]

Chief Corvette engineer Dave McClellan,who was in charge at Corvette back in 81,wrote in his book "Corvette From The Inside" That Borg-Warner whom was supplying manual trannys for Chevrolet. (My 81 is a Super t-10 as were all 81's)
was treated so lousy by GM as a supplier,and had earlier on, a dedicated line just for the Corvette,finally got fed up and informed Chevrolet that it would no longer supply 4-speed trannys after the 1981 model year.

And yes, I do agree there is a big difference,with a old school v8 mechanical clutch, with a four speed,vs a newer syncro 5 or 6 speed 4 banger.

Still,love that 4-speed,hard pedal and all.

Later, Ken

 

[Yoda]

It would have been pretty cool had the last post been 03-03-03 instead of 03-03-05.... then revisited on 07-07-07 :eek still over 2+ years it's lay dormant...

A real blast from the past :eek

Bud

 

[Itshakes]

L81 4speed cars

When we ordered our 81 4speed car in Sept of 80 we were told 4speed cars were on "constraint". We had to wait until February to get it. The dealer said we could get an automatic in 4 weeks. My wife said "we'll wait"-(It was her daily driver)- I'm glad we waited.