What manual tranny did you cut your teeth on?

[Kuato]

1972 Ford Maverick. 3-on-the-tree.

Followed by a '77 Plymouth Volare station wagon, 4 on the floor with overdrive.

 

[andyd]

"51 Ford, 3 on the tree. Took my road test in a '65 VW bus.

 

[Stevie]

Nash Metropolitan convertible on a friends dirt road when I was about 11 or 12 years old. Got my motorcycle license and first motorcycle at 13 years old.

 

[Sunnyinhollister]

1970 F100 4x2 4spd with a granny low 1st gear and a 300cid straight six. After that it was the other cars in the family fleet:

1978 Peugeot 504 diesel sedan and a 1967 CJ6 with the Buick 225cid V6

 

[SF0059]

1991 Dodge Stealth. The clutch was super twitchy, but after that I could drive about anything...

 

[Wheel]

53 Willys Pickup. In low, you really didn't need to worry about how you let out the clutch.
Also an 82 Subaru GL and assorted tractors.

 

[Linctex]

NP-435 ("granny low" 1st gear) in a 1979 F-150 4WD with a 300-6 cyl and 3.50 rear gears

 

[Dyusik]

1988 (like it matters what year)VAZ 2163, power nothing. Not even an am radio.

 

[69GTX]

Later 1960's Volvo Wagon. An ugly beast for sure. That would have to do until I got my own manual 6 speed in 1995 (1993 Trans Am).

 

[Kestas]

The entire Ford product lineup from 1978. I was a summer intern for the manual transmission department at Ford. That's where I learned to drive a stick.

 

[EricBeau]

My Dad's 2004 Mazda3 Sport Hatchback. He ended up having the clutch replaced a little prematurely, likely due to my inexperience.

Good times in that car!

 

[vwmaniaman]

Mine was a 1963 Simca Aronde with a 4 speed on the tree. Soon followed by a 1960 Rambler American with 3 on the tree and OD when you let off the gas. Simca was rear ended by a drunk driver while we were turning into our driveway.

 

[gman2304]

A Muncie M22 4 speed in my 1966 Chevelle SS396.

 

[Shannow]

Renault 16TL, 4 on the tree, mid engined, and a great car to learn on.

My LJ Torana with M20 four speed (Oz designation for the homegrown box) was where I actually learned to thrash them, snap shifting, clutchless changes (well that and an ACL injury)

 

[46Harry]

1956 Studebaker Flight Hawk with a flat head six and 3 speed with overdrive. That was more years ago than I care to remember.

 

[harbor]

Brother's 1966 MGB GT. Gorgeous car - sand beige with red leather interior.

 

[CARJ]

My brand new 1996 Toyota Tacoma. At age 16 my parents decided that I should buy a new truck instead of a used one and it HAD to be a manual. So my Dad test drove the truck, we bought it, and drove it home. I learned to drive that later that day.

 

[CR94]

1952 Ferguson TO-30 tractor, starting at age 6.

First short drive with road-going manual: 1959 AMC Rambler Classic. It made the same clinky noises as Ford manuals of that era.

First one I drove much, or legally: 1954 Chevrolet in my signature.

 

[fdcg27]

Originally Posted By: Speak2Mountain
1977 MGB Tennis Ball Yellow
Loved that car.....when it ran


1976 MGB, a redish color.
Was a great deal of fun and very economical. I actually daily drove mine for some years, but I was younger then and didn't mind constant minor repairs.
There might be an easier to drive stick (okay, there is in a 1965 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 V-6), but there aren't many.
Between the slightly heavy but very progressive clutch and the rifle bolt shifter feel, the B was easy and entertaining to drive.
Paid all of $3500.00 for mine at four years of age and 18K miles. It even had a new top when I bought it.
A retro car only because the Brits built the same car for so many years, 1964 through 1980.

 

[NHGUY]

77 Nova,3 on the tree.A squeaky,gutless,awkward excuse for a car.