In 64, Ford offered a 3 speed column shift with first gear synchro. (I'm guessing it was basically for 6 cylinders and 289 engines.) It was casually referred to as a "3 and one half speed" transmission. You could shift the car into first gear without coming to a dead stop. (You could also do this with a regular three speed if you knew how to double clutch. But, double clutching sometimes resulted in a nasty gear grind.)
As the 4 speeds became more popular, the need for a 3 sp 1st gear synchro trans died quickly.
(You could put this into the trivia file along with the late 40's Studebaker hill holder feature, and 4 speed column shift Datsun sedans.)
About 30 years ago, the rear end on my Galaxie went. I wanted to keep the 3:50 ratio, so I searched NJ junkyards.
There was a yard in northwestern Jersey that specialized in older cars, Kobers.
I found a 64 Galaxie station wagon, manual column shift, 352 engine, 3:50 rear. I bought the rear (Pretty sure that 3:50 was the standard rear for manual shift cars in 64. I think Ford went to 3:0 in 65, a big mistake IMHO. Chevy was 3:36)
I remember watching the junkyard worker on the ground removing the rear from this car that's been sitting for years and years. I just shook my head.
extech- My first car too, a Hilman Minx, 4 speed on the colomn, getting into reverse was a real exercise!
Loved the Minx, full leather interior, seat 4 people no issues,
Lent it to a buddy, his first date with a girl he;d chased for months,
showing off put a rod out the side of the block!
Damn, he still owes me
i had the same thing happen in a 68 510 on the 10 in la at 2am. scared the ###*** out of me at 70 mph
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