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3 speed

3 speed, column shift

From the Gearbox Wiki, the reference for people who still shift their own.

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3 speed, column shift is a manual shift pattern. Reverse and second up, first and third down. The shifter lives on the steering column. The Society has 72 vehicles on file for it, 19 of them verified against a manual page or an original knob.

Gearbox badges: V verified C corroborated U unverified or not found.

Status: Verified means we read the gate in a manual or on an original knob. Corroborated means second-hand sources. Lead means not checked yet, marked [citation needed].

Buicksend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Buick Apollo / Skylark X-body
3-speed manual
[1]		1975CorroboratedGM Saginaw 3-speed manual (code not found)U
Buick Skylark / Sportwagon A-body
3-speed manual (shown beside the 4-speed)
[2]		1971CorroboratedGM Saginaw 3-speed manual (code not found)U

Chevroletsend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Chevrolet Biscayne Full-size
250 six
[3]		1964CorroboratedGM Saginaw 3-speed manual (code not found)U
Chevrolet Chevelle A-body
L-6 and other engines, 3-speed manual, column
[4]		1977VerifiedNot identifiedN
Chevrolet Impala Fourth generation
3-speed manual
[5]		1965CorroboratedGM Saginaw 3-speed manual (code not found)U
Chevrolet Nova Second generation
Non-SS models
[6]		1967CorroboratedGM Saginaw 3-speed manual (code not found)U
Chevrolet Nova Fourth generation
3-speed (column or floor)
[7]		1977CorroboratedNot identifiedN
Chevrolet Nova Fourth generation
3-speed manual
[8]		1978CorroboratedNot identifiedN
Chevrolet Nova (Chevy II) Chevy II (Wikipedia: 1965-67 second generation)
Column 3-speed standard; SS with floor 4-speed or Powerglide
[9]		1965CorroboratedGM Saginaw 3-speed manual (code not found)U
Chevrolet Passenger cars (Chevrolet car line) 1949 Chevrolet
3-speed column Synchro-Mesh
[10]		1949VerifiedGM Saginaw 3-speed Synchro-MeshC
Chevrolet Passenger cars (Chevrolet car line) 1950 Chevrolet
Synchromesh 3-speed, column shift
[11]		1950VerifiedGeneral Motors (Chevrolet) Synchro-Mesh 3-speedV
Chevrolet Passenger cars (Chevrolet car line) 1951 Chevrolet
Synchromesh 3-speed, column shift
[12]		1951VerifiedGeneral Motors (Chevrolet) Synchro-Mesh 3-speedV
Chevrolet Passenger cars (Chevrolet car line) 1952 Chevrolet
Synchromesh 3-speed, column shift
[13]		1952VerifiedGeneral Motors (Chevrolet) Synchro-Mesh 3-speedV
Chevrolet Passenger cars (Chevrolet car line) 1953 Chevrolet
3-speed column Synchro-Mesh
[14]		1953VerifiedGM Saginaw 3-speed Synchro-MeshC
Chevrolet Passenger cars (Chevrolet car line) 1954 Chevrolet
Synchromesh 3-speed, column shift
[15]		1954CorroboratedGeneral Motors (Chevrolet) Synchro-Mesh 3-speedC
Chevrolet Passenger cars (Chevrolet car line) 1955 Chevrolet
Conventional (3-speed) transmission, column
[16]		1955VerifiedGM Saginaw 3-speed Synchro-MeshC
Chevrolet Passenger cars (Chevrolet car line) 1956 Chevrolet
Conventional (3-speed) transmission, column
[17]		1956VerifiedGM Saginaw 3-speed Synchro-MeshC
Chevrolet Passenger cars (Chevrolet car line) 1957 Chevrolet
Synchro-Mesh and Overdrive, column
[18]		1957VerifiedGM Saginaw 3-speed Synchro-MeshC
Chevrolet Passenger cars (Chevrolet car line) 1958 Chevrolet
Synchro-Mesh and Overdrive, column
[19]		1958VerifiedGM Saginaw 3-speed Synchro-MeshC
Chevrolet Passenger cars (Chevrolet car line) 1959 Chevrolet
Three-speed (Synchro-Mesh or Overdrive), column
[20]		1959VerifiedGM Saginaw 3-speed Synchro-MeshC
Chevrolet Suburban C/K
250 six
[21]		1974CorroboratedGM Saginaw 3-speed manual, column shiftC
Chevrolet Truck Task-Force era truck
3-speed Synchro-Mesh, column
[22]		1956VerifiedGeneral Motors 3-speed Synchro-MeshU
Chevrolet Truck Task-Force era truck
3-speed Synchro-Mesh, column
[23]		1957VerifiedGeneral Motors 3-speed Synchro-MeshU
Chevrolet Truck Task-Force era truck
3-speed Synchro-Mesh, column
[24]		1959VerifiedGeneral Motors 3-speed Synchro-MeshU
Chevrolet Truck Apache / Task-Force era truck
3-speed Synchro-Mesh, column
[25]		1960VerifiedGeneral Motors 3-speed Synchro-MeshU
Chevrolet Truck (1/2 and 3/4 ton) Task-Force era truck
3-speed Synchro-Mesh, column
[26]		1954VerifiedGeneral Motors 3-speed Synchro-MeshU

Chryslersend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Chrysler Chrysler cars (1946 owner's manual) Pre-war carryover
Standard (3-speed) transmission, column
[27]		1946VerifiedNot identifiedN

Datsunsend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Datsun 510 510 series (UK/Europe spec)
UK 1300/1400/1600, 3-speed column change
[28]		1969CorroboratedNissan R3W65LC

Dodgesend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Dodge D29 / D30 1949 Dodge
Standard (3-speed) transmission with Fluid Drive, column
[29]		1949VerifiedNot identifiedN
Dodge Dart (full-size) 1960
All series, 3-speed column
[30]		1960VerifiedChrysler A-903U
Dodge Dart (full-size) 1960-61
All series
[31]		1961CorroboratedChrysler A-903
Chrysler A-745U

Fordsend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Ford Econoline Third generation
3-speed manual, column shift
[32]		1980CorroboratedFord 3.03 three-speedV
Ford Econoline Third generation
Base vans
[33]		1983-1986CorroboratedNot identifiedN
Ford F-100
Three-on-the-tree
[34]		1970CorroboratedFord 3-speed (Ford 3.03 family, code unconfirmed)U
Ford F-100 Sixth generation
3-speed manual, column shift
[35]		1980CorroboratedFord 3.03 three-speedV
Ford F-100 / F-150 Sixth generation
300 six
[36]		1978-1979CorroboratedFord 3.03 three-speedC
Ford Falcon First generation
Base
[37]		1960CorroboratedFord 2.77 three-speedC
Ford Falcon First generation
Base
[38]		1961CorroboratedFord 2.77 three-speedC
Ford Falcon Second generation
3-speed manual, column shift
[39]		1966CorroboratedFord 2.77 Three-Speed / 3.03 Three-SpeedV
Ford Granada 1975-76 model years
3-speed manual, column shift
[40]		1975-1976CorroboratedFord Three-speedV
Ford Maverick 1975-76 model years
3-speed manual, column shift
[41]		1975-1976CorroboratedFord Three-speedV

International Harvestersend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
International Harvester KB-3 truck Pickup / light truck, 1940s
3-speed remote-control column shift
[42]		Years not confirmedCorroboratedNot identifiedN

Mercurysend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Mercury Comet 1975-76 model years
3-speed manual, column shift
[43]		1975-1976CorroboratedFord Three-speedV
Mercury Monarch 1975-76 model years
3-speed manual, column shift
[44]		1975-1976CorroboratedFord Three-speedV

Oldsmobilesend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Oldsmobile Omega X-body
Column 3-speed manual
[45]		To 1979CorroboratedGM Saginaw 3-speed manual (code not found)U

Plymouthsend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Plymouth Valiant First generation
3-speed, shift moved from floor to column
[46]		1962CorroboratedNot identifiedN
Plymouth Valiant First generation
Signet, 170 cu in six
[47]		1963CorroboratedChrysler A-903C
Plymouth Valiant Second generation
Slant six
[48]		1966CorroboratedChrysler A-903C

Pontiacsend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Pontiac Catalina / Star Chief / Bonneville / Grand Prix Full-size
3-speed Synchro-Mesh, standard
[49]		1964CorroboratedNot identifiedN
Pontiac Phoenix / Ventura X-body
Column 3-speed manual
[50]		To 1979CorroboratedNot identifiedN
Pontiac Tempest (incl. LeMans/GTO) 1st gen
3-speed column-shift manual
[51]		1961-1963CorroboratedNot identifiedN

Saabsend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Saab 96 Two-stroke and early V4 (3-speed, column lever)
3-speed manual, column lever
[52]		1960 onwardCorroboratedSaab 3-speed (code not found)N

Willys-Overlandsend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Willys-Overland Station Wagon / Jeepster / Sedan Delivery Post-war Willys
3-speed column (remote control), optional overdrive
[53]		Years not confirmedCorroboratedBorg-Warner T-90C

Unconfirmed leadshelp confirm

These come from memory, forums or sources we could not open. Know one? Send the manual page or a photo of the knob and it moves up.

Show 19 leads

AMCsend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
AMC Rambler American
3-speed manual
[citation needed]		1958-1969LeadBorg-Warner T-96
Borg-Warner T-86C

Chevroletsend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Chevrolet Biscayne First/second generation
"3/4-speed manual" in the spec lists for both years
[citation needed]		1958-1959LeadNot identifiedN
Chevrolet Biscayne Full-size
3-speed manual listed in the fourth-generation spec list; floor 4-speed with Hurst shifter on high-output big blocks (year not stated)
[citation needed]		1965-1972LeadNot identifiedN
Chevrolet Chevelle A-body
3-speed manual
[citation needed]		1964-1972LeadGM Saginaw; Borg-Warner 3-speed manual; H.D. 3-speed (T-10 family code not stated)C
Chevrolet Chevelle A-body (GM)
3-speed manual standard (4-speed and Turbo Hydra-Matic optional)
[citation needed]		1973LeadNot identifiedN
Chevrolet Corvair
3-speed manual
[citation needed]		1960-1969LeadGeneral Motors Corvair 3-speed manual transaxleC
Chevrolet Nova Third generation
Standard 3-speed manual (Saginaw per Wikipedia spec listing)
[citation needed]		1968-1970LeadGM Saginaw 3-speed manual (model not given)C
Chevrolet Nova Third generation
Rally Nova: 3-speed manual (RPO ZW4) on all engines
[citation needed]		1971-1972LeadNot identifiedN

Chevrolet / GMCsend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Chevrolet / GMC C/K pickup
Base trucks with column manual
[citation needed]		To 1987LeadGM Saginaw 3-speed manual, column shiftC

Dodgesend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Dodge A100 van
3-speed manual
[citation needed]		1964-1970LeadChrysler A-903U
Dodge Dart Compact (A-body)
170 / 225 six, 3-speed manual
[citation needed]		1963-1966LeadChrysler A-903U

Fordsend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Ford F-100 Fifth generation
Column shifter
[citation needed]		1967LeadFord 3-speed (Ford 3.03 family, code unconfirmed)U
Ford F-100 Fifth/sixth generation
3-speed manual, column shift
[citation needed]		1971-1977LeadFord 3-speedU
Ford F-100 Seventh generation
3-speed manual, column shift (F-100 base)
[citation needed]		1981-1986LeadFord 3.03 three-speedU
Ford Fairlane
3-speed manual
[citation needed]		1962-1968LeadFord 2.77 three-speed
Ford 3.03 three-speedC
Ford Galaxie
3-speed manual
[citation needed]		1960-1970LeadFord 3.03 three-speed / 2.77, unconfirmed for GalaxieU

Mercurysend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Mercury Comet
3-speed manual
[citation needed]		1960-1969LeadFord 2.77 three-speed
Ford 3.03 three-speedC

Plymouthsend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Plymouth Fury / Belvedere
3-speed manual
[citation needed]		1960-1970LeadChrysler A-903
Chrysler A-745C

Studebakersend a correction

VehicleYearsStatusGearboxMembers
Studebaker Lark
3-speed manual
[citation needed]		1959-1966LeadBorg-Warner T-86U

References

  1. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.19, 'Manual Transmission': hand on a lever, H diagram with arrows R and 2 on top, 1 and 3 below; text says three-speed standard H pattern. [link]
  2. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.17, 'Manual Transmissions 3-speed & 4-speed': 3-speed H with Rev and 2nd on top, 1st and 3rd below. [link]
  3. ^ Forum. Forum poster lists a 1964 Biscayne 250 six with three on the tree; same thread gives the usual pattern: R toward you and up. [link]
  4. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.2-8 photo of a steering-column lever with R and 2 at the top, 1 and 3 at the bottom, N in the middle; p.2-7 says 3-speed manual shift positions follow the standard pattern. [link]
  5. ^ Wikipedia. Wikipedia 1965 spec list: '3-speed manual (three-on-the-tree)'. [link]
  6. ^ Wikipedia. Wikipedia: 1967 Nova SS had a console 4-speed shifter; other models had a column-mounted gearshift. [link]
  7. ^ Wikipedia. Wikipedia: 1977 shifting by three-speed (column or floor shift) and four-speed manuals or Turbo Hydra-Matic. [link]
  8. ^ Press/road test. Magazine reader's 1978 Nova is described as having a column-shifted three-speed manual. [link]
  9. ^ Wikipedia. Wikipedia: a column-mounted three-speed manual remained standard in 1965. [link]
  10. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.15 text: gearshift lever on the steering column; reverse = raise lever and push upward; first = raise toward wheel, then downward; second = push up, away from wheel; third = pull downward. [link]
  11. ^ Owner's manual. 1950 Chevrolet owner's manual (archive.org text): Synchromesh gearshift lever "mounted on the steering column" with five positions: neutral, reverse, first, second, third. [link]
  12. ^ Owner's manual. 1951 Chevrolet owner's manual (archive.org text): Synchromesh gearshift lever "mounted on the steering column" with positions neutral, reverse, first, second, third. [link]
  13. ^ Owner's manual. 1952 Chevrolet owner's manual (archive.org text): cars with Synchromesh transmission have the gearshift on the steering column with neutral, reverse, first, second, third. [link]
  14. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.13: green H diagram next to the steering wheel with R and 2 on top, 1 and 3 below; text: reverse = raise lever and push fully upward. [link]
  15. ^ Owner's manual. 1954 Chevrolet owner's manual (archive.org text): "Steering Column Synchro-Mesh Gearshift Control" section and Synchro-Mesh transmission chapter. [link]
  16. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.8 dash photo with overlaid H: REVERSE and SECOND on the top row, FIRST (LOW) and THIRD (HIGH) on the bottom row; text: reverse = raise lever and push fully upward. [link]
  17. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.8 dash photo with overlaid H: REVERSE and SECOND on top, FIRST (LOW) and THIRD (HIGH) below; same text as 1955. [link]
  18. ^ Owner's manual. Shift Lever page (printed p.9): column H with Reverse and Second on the upper row, Low and High on the lower row; says the H pattern is used with both Synchro-Mesh and Overdrive. [link]
  19. ^ Owner's manual. PDF page 8 (Overdrive section): column photo labelled R, 2 at the top and 1, 3 at the bottom; text calls it the standard H shift pattern used with both Synchro-Mesh and Overdrive. [link]
  20. ^ Owner's manual. Page showing 'THREE-SPEED' steering-column photo with R and 2 up, 1 and 3 down, next to a 'FOUR-SPEED' diagram. [link]
  21. ^ Forum. Forum poster lists a 1974 Suburban 250 six with three on the tree (later converted to floor). [link]
  22. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.10, Fig. 12 Three-Speed Transmission Shifting Diagram: REV. and 2-D on top, 1-ST and 3-D below; text: control on trucks with 3-speed is on the steering column. [link]
  23. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.10, Fig. 12 Three-Speed Transmission Shifting Diagram: REV. and 2-D on top, 1-ST and 3-D below. [link]
  24. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.10, Fig. 12 Three-Speed Transmission Shifting Diagram: REV. and 2-D on top, 1-ST and 3-D below. [link]
  25. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.25: 3-speed lever on the right side of the steering column, 'conventional H pattern', Fig. 24 photo labelled R, 2 top and 1, 3 bottom. [link]
  26. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.9, Fig. 12: REV. and 2-D on top, 1-ST and 3-D below; text says 3-speed control on all 1/2 and 3/4 ton trucks is on the steering column. [link]
  27. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.7: lever 'up on the steering column'; reverse = raise toward wheel and push forward; first = raise toward wheel and pull back; second = push forward; third = pull back; photo labels REVERSE, SECOND, NEUTRAL, FIRST, HIGH. [link]
  28. ^ Service manual. UK workshop manual (p60-61) lists R3W65L with a column-mounted three-speed gearchange linkage (Fig F.35); no gate diagram. [link]
  29. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.12: four small steering-wheel drawings (first, second, third, reverse) showing the lever going to lower-left, upper-right, lower-right and upper-left positions. [link]
  30. ^ Owner's manual. PDF page 17: four H drawings numbered 1 to 4 with the lever at lower-left (1st), upper-right (2nd), lower-right (3rd) and upper-left (reverse). [link]
  31. ^ Wikipedia. Wikipedia: 1961 Darts were equipped as standard with three-speed, column-shifted manual transmissions. [link]
  32. ^ Service manual. 1980 Ford truck BCE shop manual lists a manual 3-speed column shift for E-100 to E-350. [link]
  33. ^ Wikipedia. Wikipedia: the column-shifted 3-speed departed after 1986, leaving the floor 4-speed overdrive standard. [link]
  34. ^ Forum. Thread 'Can't figure out the shift pattern': R and 2 are up and 1 and 3 are down; an owner with a 1970 F100 says for reverse pull the lever toward you and push up. [link]
  35. ^ Service manual. 1980 Ford truck BCE shop manual: 'manual 3 speed column shift' steering column listed for E-100 to E-350, F-100 to F-350 and Bronco; transmission list 'Ford Manual 3-Speed'. [link]
  36. ^ Forum. Forum poster lists a 1978 F-100 and a 1979 F150, both 300 six, with three on the tree. [link]
  37. ^ Wikipedia. Wikipedia: a three-speed manual column shift was standard for 1960. [link]
  38. ^ Press/road test. SlashGear says Ford advertised the first-generation Falcon's column shifter as space saving and easy to use. [link]
  39. ^ Service manual. 1966 shop manual (Cougar/Falcon/Fairlane/Mustang) lists transmission code 1 = 3-speed manual and 'Steering Column Shift' parts; Ford 2.77 and 3.03 three-speed sections. [link]
  40. ^ Service manual. 1975-76 Ford car shop manual Part 16-11 Ford Three-Speed Transmission ('Applies to Maverick/Comet, Granada/Monarch') lists column-mounted and floor-mounted shift controls. [link]
  41. ^ Service manual. 1975-76 Ford car shop manual Part 16-11 Ford Three-Speed Transmission ('Applies to Maverick/Comet, Granada/Monarch') lists column-mounted and floor-mounted shift controls. [link]
  42. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.4, 'Gear Shift-Remote Control' drawing for the 3-speed: lever at the wheel with R at the top, 2 next, 1 lower-left and 3 at the bottom. [link]
  43. ^ Service manual. 1975-76 Ford car shop manual Part 16-11 Ford Three-Speed Transmission ('Applies to Maverick/Comet, Granada/Monarch') lists column-mounted and floor-mounted shift controls. [link]
  44. ^ Service manual. 1975-76 Ford car shop manual Part 16-11 Ford Three-Speed Transmission ('Applies to Maverick/Comet, Granada/Monarch') lists column-mounted and floor-mounted shift controls. [link]
  45. ^ Press/road test. Jalopnik lists GM X-body cars (Nova, Omega, Ventura/Phoenix) as the last with three on the tree, through 1979. [link]
  46. ^ Wikipedia. Wikipedia: 1962 the manual gearshift was moved from the floor to the steering column. [link]
  47. ^ Forum. Thread about a 63 Valiant Signet with A903; posters describe the Valiant pattern as an H with R left and up, 1 left and down. [link]
  48. ^ Forum. Owner of a 66 Valiant: reverse toward yourself and up, first toward yourself and down, second away and up, third away and down. [link]
  49. ^ Owner's manual. Printed p.8: black H diagram with R and 2 on top, 1 and 3 below; text says the 3-speed is standard equipment on all Pontiac models. [link]
  50. ^ Press/road test. Jalopnik lists Pontiac Ventura/Phoenix among the last GM X-body cars with three on the tree. [link]
  51. ^ Wikipedia. Wikipedia: 1961 three-speed column-shifted manual, still available for all engines in 1963. [link]
  52. ^ Wikipedia. Wikipedia: 96 and 95 'featured column mounted transmission levers'; gearbox 'originally had three gears, the first unsynchronised'. [link]
  53. ^ Owner's manual. Gearshift text: first = up and back toward you; second = forward to neutral then down and forward; high directly back from second; reverse up through neutral and fully forward. [link]
Categories: 3 speed gearboxes | Shift patterns | Column lever

This page was last edited on November 11, 2026.

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