DAMN! This makes me feel ancient...

[Fasglas]

3 on the tree. Had several. A few became 3 on the floor.

https://www.google.com/search?q=electronic+curb+feelers&client=ms-android-sprint-us&source=android-browser&prmd=sinv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjOk5Pk9YDYAhVY6WMKHQeuAV8Q_AUICigC&biw=640&bih=360#imgrc=dr6zLu9GXzN05M:

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/1d/1e/ef/1d1eef5663ac1f0aec07304b419ba836--old-stuff-cars.jpg

[MrPeabody]

I must say I never owned one, but I learned how to drive on one. My dad's '52 GMC pickup.

[OddBall]

Three on the tree, and you better be fit to handle that manual steering.

[JRD77VET]

Three on the tree, and you better be fit to handle that manual steering.

:iagree: The work truck for the tire shop I worked for during HS had a '69 Ford F250 with a 390 and three on the tree.

it went like a like mad man too

[Kerrmudgeon]

I learned to shift manual trans on a 51 Chevy 3 in the tree. My older brothers friend had the car and I used to steal it and go for a spin around the block when they were in the pool. I was 12. :D

[04 commemorative]

My 53 Chevy was 3 on the tree and my 67 Mustang was 3 on the floor until I changed it to a 4 speed

[WalkerInTN]

Three on the tree, and you better be fit to handle that manual steering.

Learned to drive on a 1965 GMC 3/4 ton longbed with some big ass off road tires that made the manual steering THAT much more interesting. I had a pretty good 3 on the tree speed shift working back then. Drove that truck for a couple years until I got my own car. :cert:

The wing window in the pic also make me feel old. :seasix:

[polarbear]

I learned how to drive on one of these (column shift version).

http://www.classiccarstodayonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Mercedes-column-mounted-gear-shift-lever.jpg

[WalkerInTN]

I learned how to drive on one of these (column shift version).

http://www.classiccarstodayonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Mercedes-column-mounted-gear-shift-lever.jpg

Now THAT I've never seen. Only ever seen that on the floor. :yesnod:

[StaticCling]

While I learned to drive on a standard, I have never driven a column shift manual. I would like to try though!

[mrvette]

While I learned to drive on a standard, I have never driven a column shift manual. I would like to try though!

I'd advise against that adventure, especially out with the cliff-hangers....maybe here in Florida.....flatlands.....

I learned to drive on a new 60-61? Studebaker Lark....3 on the tree.....

:dance: My son inherited his FIL's '57 Chebby p/up.....had 3 on tree, it's a automatic now....with an LS engine.....:dance::D

[8Up]

When I was stationed in Okinawa where they drive on the left side of the road, I used my MSGT's truck to move some extra parts that we had (but didnt have) to a secure location. His truck was a three on the tree rt hand drive. the shifter was on the left hand side of the column. It was a challenge but I managed to get it to where I needed to go.

[MrPeabody]

I learned how to drive on one of these (column shift version).

http://www.classiccarstodayonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Mercedes-column-mounted-gear-shift-lever.jpg

Volvo?

[Fasglas]

Volvo?

Mercedes had 4spd column shifters for a long time. Never drove one, but have seen them.

[snide]

Yup, I learned to drive with a 3 on the tree. Mid-60's Ford F100, I think. It was red.

[Mike Mercury]

Three on the tree, and you better be fit to handle that manual steering.

I learned to drive on such a beasty. Non-power brakes as well.

[lspencer534]

I learned how to drive on one of these (column shift version).

http://www.classiccarstodayonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Mercedes-column-mounted-gear-shift-lever.jpg

Likely in Europe. I've never seem one of those in the States.

[6spdC6]

Likely in Europe. I've never seem one of those in the States.

My next door neighbor had one of those Mercedes, (it was a 50 something, possibly 55) I drove it a few times. It also had a 3 band radio, AM,FM & "Short wave"

I also learned to drive on a 3 on the tree car, course in that era most all American cars had a none synchronized first gear. Learning how to double clutch was mandatory if you wanted to drive well!:D

[Wathen1955]

Three on the tree, and you better be fit to handle that manual steering.What year did they come out with power steering?

[StaticCling]

I'd advise against that adventure, especially out with the cliff-hangers....maybe here in Florida.....flatlands.....

I learned to drive on a new 60-61? Studebaker Lark....3 on the tree.....

:dance: My son inherited his FIL's '57 Chebby p/up.....had 3 on tree, it's a automatic now....with an LS engine.....:dance::D

Honestly, I don't think I would have any trouble. Most of the vehicles I have owned have been manuals, as a matter of fact, the Truck I drive right now is the first Automatic I have ever purchased. The Corvette's were all sticks, the current toy (Mustang GT) is a stick. All the other cars, with the exception of one hand me down, were all standards.

Probably take me a bit to get the shift pattern down, but as far as driving stick shifts, I am golden.

I had a friend that had a '63 Lark, I drove that thing a few times..it was an automatic tho. Like Driving a Taco Truck. He had personalized plates that said "Old Stu" :Jeff '79:

[MrPeabody]

What year did they come out with power steering?

Very old invention, first made commercially available in early 50s.

Power steering - Wikipedia

[lspencer534]

Very old invention, first made commercially available in early 50s.

Power steering - Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_steering)

I would've thought it was much earlier than that. Looks like car air conditioners preceded power steering in the 1939 Packard.

[86RAG]

I bought a 1980 Chevy van new that was a six banger three on the tree. The linkage used to get hung up from time to time. It was a pain in the ass to straighten out. Same thing as the 1963 Chevy pick up my father had. I don't think they ever did refine that shift mechanism! :rofl:

[Sea Six]

My dad told me that the very earliest power steering units were undesirable because they gave little or no road feedback. Made it difficult to keep steering in a straight line.

[Milton Fox]

I learned to drive on such a beasty. Non-power brakes as well.

....drum brakes all around. You had to learn how far to coast before the brakes would work. :island14:

[Dan Dlabay]

I remember driving my grandpa's 51 chevy with 3 on the tree.:cert:

[VatorMan]

Took my driving test in a 68 Bel Air with 3 on the column, No power brakes or steering.

[Ol Timer]

My first car was a '54 Chevy Bel Aire with 3 on the tree, manual steering, manual brakes, manual windows, manual radio.

I worked through school as a manual laborer, so it all fits!

[Ryan Bell]

A kid last week told me he couldn't imagine a world without iPhones.

Totally serious.

[snide]

A kid last week told me he couldn't imagine a world without iPhones.

Totally serious.

What's an "iPhone"? :confused5:

[Fasglas]

What's an "iPhone"? :confused5:

https://i.pinimg.com/736x/93/d4/e4/93d4e42d3c49010a520617d2df44c14f--generation-s--s.jpg

[WalkerInTN]

^^^^^^Had one. :seasix:

....drum brakes all around. You had to learn how far to coast before the brakes would work. :island14:

Ah yes, drum brakes. That's where the expression "pump your brakes" came from. :yesnod:

[SQUIRMIN VERMIN 84]

I learned on a 3-on-a-tree on my folks' 51 bullet-nosed Stude back in 1960/61
when I was 15. After I got my license, they sold the car to me for $1.
It was a 3-speed with overdrive and was my first big rebuild project.

[Aerovette]

What does that linkage look like? It would seem there is a lot going on in all those changes in direction from column to transmission.

[JRD77VET]

I learned how to drive on one of these (column shift version).

http://www.classiccarstodayonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Mercedes-column-mounted-gear-shift-lever.jpg

My friend Elliot had a 196? Peugeot that was four on the tree like that.

Would have been a lot easier to drive if it wasn't a total piece of crap :rofl:

[chevyman_ky]

I learned to drive in a 64 chevelle 3 on the tree. my buddy just bought a 68 chevy pickup last week 3 on the tree. my late sister had 2 63 Mercedes benz one gas one diesel both 4 0n the tree.