Manual transmissioned "Personal Luxury" hot rods.....

Had someone ask why certain popular '70's cars weren't available with manual transmissions. The fact is, a lot of them were, but the option wasn't popular and dealers didn't stock many of them. # 1. 1969-74 Pontiac Gran Prix, 1973-75 Grand Am. You could get a 4-speed in a GP until 1981. However the '78-81 models were downsized "G" bodies and had the anemic 301 V8 that wheezed out 150 hp. But there are a few "real"-i.e the 1969-74 models out there with factory 4-speeds and a big-block. In 1969 you could get a Hurst-shifted Muncie 4-speed behind either a 400 or a 428!! A friend had a 428 / 4-speed GP, and it felt like a GTO. From 1970 on, the 4-speed was only available with the 400; 455 models all had the TH400 standard. Same thing for the Grand Am-you could get a 4-speed or an automatic with the 400, but only an automatic with the 455s. The reason there weren't a lot of them made was the GP was considered a luxury car. Most people who wanted a Pontiac stick-shift car with a big V8 would buy a GTO , Firebird, or LeMans. There weren't a lot of sales demand. For example I think only 112 of the 100,000+ 1969 models had this option. If your really want one, and can't find one for sale or don't want to pay the inevitably high asking price, you could build one pretty easy by converting a much-lower priced automatic model. Year one and other restoration companies sell GM "A" body clutch linkages and pedal setups, and Summitt racing stocks brand-new BW T10 4-speeds, Lakewood bellhousings and Hurst shifters. Or you could probably find a used Muncie M20 or M21 on the internet. # 2. 1970-74 Chevy Monte Carlo. Believe it or not, the standard powertrain in the Monte Carlo was actually a 250 inch straight six, and a three-speed stick!! The majority of them sold had 350 V8 / TH350 motivation, but you could get a 4-speed with any V8 including the 454. A guy I worked with several years ago had a 350 / 4-speed Monte, and it was a cool ride. For some reason, unlike Pontiac-who offered a Hurst shifter as standard equipment-Chevrolet used the awful Muncie shifters ( Unlike the Hurst linkage which was transmission-mounted, these were body-mounted. If you had your foot in it, they were almost impossible to shift above about half-throttle, because engine torque would twist the rods out of alignment ). My co-worker did what most people with Chevy stick-shift cars did-he put in a Hurst Competition Plus shifter shortly after buying the car. 4-speed Montes are rare for the same reason as the G/P's. The Monte Carlo was considered a luxury car, and most musclecar buyers who would want a 4-speed bought Chevelles, or Camaros. The option was dropped after '74. Again-if you want one-I'd just get an automatic model and buy a Chevelle clutch linkage, and a used Muncie, or T10 ( or a new one from Summitt ). and the bellhousing and Hurst shifter. That would be way cheaper than what someone would want for an original 4-speed model. # 3. 1967-73 Mercury Cougar. Same deal-a 4-speed was available in the Cougar behind the 289 / 302, 351W / 351C, 390, 428 and 429 engines. Their just weren't a lot of them sold. Just like the GM offerings, the Cougar was considered a luxury / sports car. Ford musclecar buyers bought Mustangs, Torinos and Fairlanes. Thus 99% of  Cougars you see are automatics. However- again, if you want a 4-speed cat-simply buy Mustang clutch linkage, the proper bellhousing for your engine, a used Top-Loader or a new or used T10, a Hurst shifter, and your in business. I say this because 4-speed Cougars are very rare, and are usually waaayyy overpriced. I mean guys are asking the same price for a 289 / 4-speed Cougar as people ask for a 428 Mach 1 Mustang!! It's just easier and a lot cheaper to convert an automatic version. And unless it's a 428 Eliminator, who cares if it's not original? 351 models are the proverbial dime a dozen. # 4. 1969-78 Plymouth Sport Fury. As far as I know, the Big Fury had the Torqueflite as standard equipment with any V8 larger than 318 inches. However if you want one, simply buy Chrysler "B" body ( Charger / Coronet / Road Runner / Satellite ) clutch linkage and pedals from Mancini racing or other Mopar resto companies, and Summit sells repro Hurst "Pistol Grip" shifters. How cool would a 440 / 4-speed, "Six-Pack" ( Edelbrock still sells the manifold and Summitt sells the Holley carbs and throttle linkage ) Fury be??  Totally badass in my mind. # 5. 1968-74 Olds Cutlass. A lot of people don't know it, but you didn't have to buy a 442 to get a 4-speed in a Cutlass. You could get a 350 or a 455 with a 4-speed in a Cutlass S as well. Again-Olds performance buyers went for the 442. The Cutlass Supreme-the best-selling car in America for a few years in the '70's-was considered a luxury car like the Gran Prix or Monte Carlo. However- again-if you want one simply buy "A" body ( Chevelle / GTO etc ) clutch linkage and convert an auto. In my lifetime I have only seen two-non 442, non W31 Cutlasses with a 4-speed. One was a 1970 350 Rallye Cutlass, and the other was a 1973 Supreme with a 455. Don't even try to find one, you'll have to build it.  Anyhow, any of these cars could be a unique, fun ride. Mastermind