Three On The Tree...
 

Who has seen a three on the tree GTO? I saw a base 66 for sale a few years ago. Needless to say, I was shocked.

Not a GTO, but I have a 70 firebird with 3 on the tree.....

This has been researched by a board member and it was shown that '66 was the only year to do this
and that just over 400 were assembled this way.
I myself have never seen one.
However after owning a '66 Drop-Top OHC Sprint with 3 on the column can say I wouldn't want one ;)

Not on a GTO, but I owned an Opel Rekord in Germany with a 4 on the tree. Had a typical 4 spd pattern. To get to reverse you had to push a button on the end of the shifter, pull towards you and then push up....

Had a 70 ford country squire (family truckster) with manual steering, 351 with 3 on the tree. A beast to drive !

I learned to drive and took my driver's test in a Brand F car with 3 on the tree. Good times.....thanks Mom!! I'm sure that whole arrangement would be a mystery to modern young drivers.

Eric

My first car was a 66 GTO 2sp auto on the column.

To the OP, never seen one. I have driven several though, 53 chevy, 67 f100, 70 Econoline, loved that shifting on the column. I saw a funny t shirt, had a 4 speed gear pattern and said "millennial anit theft device", 3 on the tree would def. be a mystery. Then again starting a model a or even driving a model t is impossible if one doesn't know the science involved.

First 3 ott I drove was a 51 Ford Victoria with a flathead.

Several decades ago a friend had an early 60s Econoline window van with a 4 Spd on the column. Shifted like a regular four spd only sideways. Found out later this was a light duty English or German Ford four speed (Dagenheim?).

Can't say that I've seen one. My second car was a 66 Chevelle 235 w/3-speed on the tree. Fun, only recently learned how to drive a manual and drove my "new" car home. My dad was BEHIND me so in case I stalled in a hill, he'd rather me hit his car (company car) than a random driver.

Interesting;
I have come to understand that the column shifted three speed manual was reserved for 'low output' engines/drivetrains or trucks;
I wonder what happened for the 1966 model year that this became a thing - but was quickly remedied.

Some might think it sick of me, but this is something I'd I'd actually like to have, should ever means and opportunity align;
I realize this was relegated to base/Esprit models with either the inline six, or a 350-2bbl engine - but it would make an interesting, if not stylish cruiser ;)

Have seen a handful of 64-65 Tempest/Lemans with 3 on Tree -
but never encountered a GTO with it.

True Base by default was Buckets and 3 on the Floor, no console - GTO
Tree Climber or Bench Seat would have been two no-cost special order/ammended order alternates.

Do you remember if it was Bench or Buckets ?
Tree Climber with Buckets would be the hands down winner for oddest 66 GTO ever built, probably. Bench probably more likely - but any 3-Tree GTO is a prime candidate for the title.

I wonder (not knowing early GTO base equipment) if the "floor shift" was maybe moved from base equipment?

Here is a link to the 1966 Pontiac Performance brochure: http://www.oldcarbrochures.com/stati...rmance-20.html It says the column shift three speed was standard, or a heavy duty floor shift three speed could be ordered. So, that would indicate the column shift transmission was not heavy duty - I don't know specifics for A body cars, does that mean a Saginaw transmission instead of an available Dearborn transmission?

edited to add: Interestingly, the link also has data on the Sprint OHC6, which had a three speed floor shift as standard. :)

Like a lot of old country boys, I've driven LOTS of vehicles, with 3-on-the-tree.

We had a Stude car & truck with it. Also had Ford cars & trucks, as well as Chevy & GMC trucks. Also took driver ed in a big Ford, with it. I'd already been driving for over 10 years. But, taking driver ed made my insurance cheaper, for my Dad.

I still remember how the new drivers, especially the girls, would make the car jump & jerk & go dead, some much worse than others.

TJ also took driver ed in a stick Ford. So, she didn't have any problem at all driving 4-speed Muclecars, or the 1-ton car haulers we had. On the street, she didn't have any auto trans street vehicles from '75 thru 2005. Bought a floor shift auto trans '06 Tacoma, which she still has.

But, I've never driven a Pontiac with a tree stick, and have never even seen one, that I remember.

Saw a 67 LeMans 4 door HT with 326/3 on the tree a few years ago. Nice lo miler, should have bought it.
Learned to drive a stick with a 71C10 250/3 on the tree. Dad also had a 69 Dodge D100 with a slant 6 and a 3 on the tree.

Interesting (I just took a minute to look at the link);
The details page you linked definately shows that a three-on-the-tree is standard, yet on page 16 (here) it shows a "Standard heavy-duty 3-speed with Hurst shifter..." middle colum, far left!?

This must have been a goof up on the part of PMD.

EDIT:, I just took a bit longer, it looks like that was the 2+2 options splash page;
The GTO one is on page 08-09 (here), and it clearly shows that floor shifted three speed as being extra cost;
Still seems silly.

The second car I ever drove was my brother's 1950 Pontiac with a 3 on the tree back in about 1969 - 70...

Who knew that in 40+ years later, I'd actually be working on the same car?

My brother parked the car in 1972 and he passed away in 1993. My sister-in-law kept the car thinking one of her boys might want it until 2011. She lost her storage and asked me if I wanted it. I wasn't sure, but I trailered it home and got it started (on 40 year old gas) with just a battery, six spark plugs and a fan belt.

Ultimatley, after I got it running and safe to drive, I got my nephew to agree to take it. That's what his mother really wanted and I had my fun bring it back to life.

The photo was taken after I got it cleaned up and running. It's 100% original paint and the interior is actually in very good condition.

The car is now in Phoenix with my nephew.

That's really cool!!

Hopefully your nephew learns to really appreciate it, and doesn't just sell it to the first seemingly serious offer...