On the subject of muscle vehicles, one factor that’s not typically mentioned is that the majority featured three-speed manuals as their commonplace transmission. There’s even a handful of vehicles — together with some GTOs — that had a three-speed on the column. And, even amongst three-speeds, it could be straightforward to imagine that large engines had been by no means backed by three-speeds, however our Choose of the Day, a 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Vacation Coupe, exhibits this to not be true. It’s listed on the market on ClassicCars.com by a dealership in Fredericksburg, Texas. (Click on the hyperlink to view the itemizing)

Although it nonetheless confounds lovers, many people assume the 4-4-2 solely got here with a four-speed. That was true in 1964, its inaugural yr, however beginning in 1965, a three-speed handbook turned the usual transmission. For engine upgrades just like the W30, three-speeds weren’t accessible, but it surely was commonplace for the bottom 4-4-2 nicely into the Nineteen Seventies. When Oldsmobile lastly dropped the 455 into the 4-4-2 in 1970, a three-speed was nonetheless commonplace. Behind a 455? Nicely, sure!

The 4-4-2 had been restyled for that yr too. From the entrance, it regarded comparable than the 1969, however its physique had been redone with new contours and proportions which have made it a favourite as we speak. The air induction system was a extra standard affair now, with scoops positioned on a fiberglass hood. It additionally turned an choice for the bottom 4-4-2 for the primary time, because it beforehand air induction had been reserved for the W30. The usual metal hood had extra pronounced planes (for lack of a greater phrase), although the complete twin stripes had been now not accessible, now changed with pinstripes as an choice.

The choice of a three-speed stick could appear austere, Olds made positive it included a Hurst Competitors shifter, which was a assure to the buyer that there could possibly be no higher. As outfitted, this 1970 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 Vacation Coupe seems to have a number of extra options worthy of observe, together with bucket seats (commonplace on the 4-4-2), Tremendous Inventory I wheels, Rally Pac, Customized Sport steering wheel, racing mirrors with driver-side distant, and black vinyl prime. The proper facet and trunk striping are at present not on this automobile.

Vendor claims this “numbers-matching” 1970 4-4-2 is considered one of 273 Vacation Coupes constructed with the usual three-speed. “The automobile comes with the matching quantity carburetor and distributor.” For those who get pleasure from daring to be completely different, you may snap up this piece of Lansing muscle for $85,000.

Click on right here for extra on this ClassicCars.com Choose of the Day.