[Rapdron]

Originally Posted by charles bledsoe

No disagreement here at all with what you are saying. I looked at a beautiful 65 4 speed about 2 years before I bought this car. The car was originally an auto and the owner put in the 4 speed transmission. Can't remember, but I believe that the engine might have been replaced as well. It was a 389 though. I just loved the pick up the car had and was very impressed with the speed attained as we never got out of third gear before having to slow down for a stop sign or make a turn. We never got out on the hwy. My car with the automatic is quite slow. It would be nice to step on the gas and be pushed back in the seat like the 2006 goat does with the 66, as the rumble of the 389 engine winding up is quite different than the 6.0L.

Nothing changes the character of a classic or muscle car as much as the addition of a clutch pedal.
My 67 Lemans convertible started life as a boring 326 2 speed automatic.
It's now an OHC 6 Sprint clone with an 89 T-5
Much more fun.
I plan on changing out my 66 2+2 from an automatic into a 4 speed.
Like yours, it's original 421 was gone long before I bought it.
A 68 4 bolt main 428 will have to do for as long as I drive it.
It's a heavily optioned car, but like others have stated, it might actually increase it's value since it will never be a high dollar show car.
At least not as long as I own it.

You intend to keep it forever.
Build it like you want, not what's "correct"
Save everything you swap out.
You will definitely enjoy it more.

Ron