69 L78 Tranny question

[rpoz11]

If I remember correctly, Jeff Leonard's Pace Car was originally a column shift 3-speed 300HP/350 car! I saw this waaaaay back when he bought the car.

[JRSully]

Heard a blurb somewhere that if you ordered the L78 with standard tranny and didn't specify which you wanted exactly, the formula the assembly line used was 3:55 or higher rear gear, M-20, lower than 3:55, M-21. In 69 the M-22 was available, had to be specifically ordered obviously, M-22 was not available in the Nova for 70, never heard of a 3pd in a BB Nova. I have no idea if this is fact, just what I heard. SULLY

[Don_Lightfoot]

Appears I have some additional varying opinions to throw in the pot, thanks for the responses

[supcarbob]

I remember a friend that ordered a 396/375 Chevelle in 1968. Money was tight and I remember his insurance man would not insure a 4-speed for him due to his age(18 at the time). Only options were am radio and L78.Had a 3-speed on floor with bench seat and open rear end(no posi).

[Don_Lightfoot]

[ QUOTE ]
I remember a friend that ordered a 396/375 Chevelle in 1968. Only options were am radio and L78. Had a 3-speed on floor with bench seat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good information Bob I don't think there were a lot of changes in this area from 1968 to 1969.

[Chevy454]

I was thinking along the lines of Sully. The Novas were cheaper than cheap, and the base combo I *believe* was M20/3.55...in my mind, if the base tranny in the el cheapo Nova was the M20, then the base tranny in the other car lines would be the same, if not a step up. But, I wasn't there, so this is just my stinky opinion...

[Kurt S]

Base trans for a L78 in a Camaro was the 3 speed manual (MC1). Don't see that combo very often, but they exist.
Also, all SS's in 69 that had a 3 speed manual got a floor shift. 67-8's could be column shift.

[Don_Lightfoot]

Agree Kurt, thanks. Can't see it being different for the Velle

[NCGuy68]

[ QUOTE ]
Base trans for a L78 in a Camaro was the 3 speed manual (MC1). Don't see that combo very often, but they exist.
Also, all SS's in 69 that had a 3 speed manual got a floor shift. 67-8's could be column shift.

[/ QUOTE ]

I agree with Kurt and heres why........

Years ago, I bought a Muncie 3-sp. tranns at a swap meet. It caught my eye because it had a factory Muncie shifter hanging on it and the shifter wasn't the usual 4-sp. It dawned on me that I was looking at a special heavy-duty Muncie 3-sp complete with the original shifter, linkage, etc. The seller claimed it came out of a 69 Camaro L78 that he couldn't sell because all potential buyers said it should have a 4-sp. He removed the tranns, installed a 4-sp, and sold the car. I have no reason to doubt his word.

It is RPO MC1/M13 in Camaro and only came with a floor mounted shifter in 69. I still have the tranns and shifter and would like to mate it to the original car but thats looking for a needle in the hay stack.

I consider it a interesting piece of GM history. Not many were built.

I'am thinking this same tranns was installed in 68-9 Velles behind Hi-Perf motors if no optional tranns were selected.

Correct me if I'am wrong please.

[JoeG]

Some more info--this is from a '68 buyers book-- Chevelle--