[GOAT WHORE]

Keith Martin's guides gives 20% over auto, iirc.

[pont3]

Originally Posted by GOAT WHORE

Keith Martin's guides gives 20% over auto, iirc.

This may be true, but that's a different ballgame altogether. And even THAT may not hold true for much longer. The future collectors did not grow up with these crude machines and won't tolerate what we tolerated.

If I owned my classic cars only to show and for dollar value, sure, I'd choose a manual too. But I drive mine, EVERYDAY! Collector value is not my priority. If they're worth anything if/when I decide to sell them, price won't really matter as my true value is in the enjoyment I get from driving them. Then again, I haven't spent 80k restoring them, either.

I'm not ragging anybody's choice to prefer manuals, Heck I even like to row through the gears periodically myself. The problem I have is the inference that those who prefer automatics are somehow inherently inferior. I'll oppose that notion until the day I die.

And you can tell Keith Martin I said that.

[GOAT WHORE]

Originally Posted by pont3

If I owned my classic cars only to show and for dollar value, sure, I'd choose a manual too. But I drive mine, EVERYDAY! Collector value is not my priority.

And you can tell Keith Martin I said that.

Shows and value are not my priority either. I too drive my car as much as I can. I have about 10,000 in the last two years and I only drive in the nice weather, in Oregon
As far as price guides go I don't make them and they do reflect market value which would indicate 4 spd's command a premium over an auto. They are more desirable like it or not.

[The Champ]

Originally Posted by pont3

This may be true, but that's a different ballgame altogether. And even THAT may not hold true for much longer. The future collectors did not grow up with these crude machines and won't tolerate what we tolerated.

If I owned my classic cars only to show and for dollar value, sure, I'd choose a manual too. But I drive mine, EVERYDAY! Collector value is not my priority. If they're worth anything if/when I decide to sell them, price won't really matter as my true value is in the enjoyment I get from driving them. Then again, I haven't spent 80k restoring them, either.

I'm not ragging anybody's choice to prefer manuals, Heck I even like to row through the gears periodically myself. The problem I have is the inference that those who prefer automatics are somehow inherently inferior. I'll oppose that notion until the day I die.

And you can tell Keith Martin I said that.

I'm 59 - and my grandson is 18. He would prefer a manual transmission in a "toy" car if he were able to purchase one today. I think you sell the younger crowd short.

I don't own my cars for only showing or value either. I drive my cars as much as possible (based on where I live and the weather). The performance oriented cars have 4spds - because that is the way I like them.

My '49 Cadillac factory limo is an automatic - as it should be.

My '81 Chevy C10 is an automatic - but I don't like sticks on the column - and you just don't find many with a floor shift. It's not a performance truck anyway - I actually haul stuff in it when needed.

You seem to imply that driving a manual transmission car is "crude". Maybe for some in our society that is true. But in Europe - many luxury cars come equipped with manual transmissions.