Why all the hype? 4 speeds

[MISSIONmotoMike]

Anything cool and sexy will be marketed and fetch more $$$$ in the Global market than something practical. Automatics in the stock muscle car era , while practical, just don't have the moxy. The reason why the American muscle car era is iconic, is that there is no substitution for it. It's a brief, unique period in automotive history that can never be repeated on the planet. Driving original period American muscle with a V8 and 4spd is the pinnacle of that uniqueness...one will never find a substitute experience for it. It's not for everyone. It's not meant to be for everyone...but for those who desire an experience that cannot be found anywhere else in the world, it's waiting for you in one of these machines. You'll have to open your pocket book wider. You'll have to actually learn the art of becoming closer to your machine, be comfortable with normal trips going from A to B, won't be "normal," and know that what your driving is the ultimate in cool. Not the fastest, nor the most practical, not relaxing, not anything for the lazy, but it never disapoints!

 

[Mopar426power]

I have one of each, A833 and 727. I would say the 4-speed is much more fun to drive. Going up through the gears is great, but also selectively downshifting in town can be a blast as well.
I think back in the day having 4 gears and shifting at the rpms you want was probably quicker than the average 3 speed automatic; not so much with today's auto trans technology....

 

[340sport]

Hell, I had so much fun shifting my A833 that I made my 727 manual reverse and now I have to shift it too!

 

[62Dodge_]

Howdy I missed manuals so much and 70-74 E-body manuals were too much money so I bought a 2015 Challenger 6speed manual.

 

[Ricks72Chlgr440]

Why all the hype about 4 speeds? I have seen comments like "a cuda 340 (originally auto) with a 4 speed conversion is worth just as much as a numbers matching auto car". Surely this can't be true??

My auto cars are so much more fun to drive.

And dont get me started on the hate for vinyl tops!

Yeah to each their own. I enjoyed manual trans until my knee started to give out in stop & go traffic and I was not sure I would get home. A well built automatic with shift kit & nice converter is a blast to drive, probably weighs a lot less, and can be driven by my wife... well maybe!

 

[MILOJ]

I grew up on manuals mower tractors then trucks and cars and still like them and still have a car with a 4-speed that I have had many years. As I get older I added power steering for ease of parking and backing out of the garage. I still love the 4-Speed