[unruhjonny]

In my last thread, I posted pictures just for fun of all the variations of second generation Firebird shifter handles.

This time in celebration of my shifter search, at long last coming to an end, how about I share pictures of the shifters.

For those of you who don't know, the factory chrome shifter arm is the same piece used in three or four speed transmissions.
Just as the chrome arm, and shifter handle is unique to platform (and sometimes options make it more unique), the shifter itself is unique to the:
platform + model year + transmission.

I had been searching for over ten years for the correct hurst shifter to install in my Muncie three speed equipped '70 Formula;
To the best of my knowledge there are only 308 documented 1970 & 1971 Firebird Formulas that came with the Muncie three speed:

• 1970 L78 = 286
• 1970 L74 = 15
• 1971 LS5 = 7

I honestly was giving up hope of finding a correct shifter, and was instead shifting gears (punn intended) to make a setup that when installed, would appear to be correct.

Pictured from left to right;

1. NOS Hurst 'Mastershift' shifter (complete with the 'Competition Plus' shifter arm which is intended for 1970-1981 F-bodies - but it doesnt work with a console, assuming it's installed correctly)
2. 1970-1971 Firebird Hurst shifter
3. 1970 Tempest/GTO Hurst shifter
4. 1970-1974 Firebird ITM shifter (complete with chrome stick)

[giles]

I give you a big thumbs up for all of the effort you have put into the 3 speed research. I think it has taken 40 years for them to become appreciated. Back in the 70s I'll wager a lot were pulled and 4 speeds swapped in, making an already rare piece even rarer. There was an article in HPP 10 or more years ago about a Coronado Gold RAIII 3-speed. That was a true bare bones muscle car!

[unruhjonny]

Yup, I have that article

I like the oddities;
Then combine the fact that everyone who drove a Muncie three speed musclecar seems to swear that they have the perfect gear spread, with their cast iron design, they're apparently near bullet-proof - I would hope that the car in no disappointment when I have it done.

Btw, iirc that car wasn't quite bare-bones, but rather a nicely opted car where it was speculated that the original purchaser might have thought that the L74 option would have netted a four speed transmission...

I know a local collector who has a '70 M13 equipped Judge - not even he knew that his car had a Muncie three speed (he thought it was a saginaw!?).

Time, and (God willing) a visit to the PSMCD's will attest to if it's better than your average M20 equipped Formula.

[unruhjonny]

Ok, you made me look it up...

I always wished this article was mire than just a fluff piece...

August 1997; pp40-41

I was so shocked to see this car, I bought two copies of the magazine.
(more in a second)


When I say I had been looking for this shifter for ten years, I mean that after having decided upon, and creating a vision for what I hoped to do with my car, I started seriously looking for a complete setup (while contemplating the feasibility) in around '96;
Then I believe it was in '04(?), right about the time that I happened upon a 100% correct 'DG' coded '70 Muncie three speed in spokane - I ramped up, and made more vocal to parties about my search for a shifter...

I came across the black ball three speed shifter in a pac-nw yellow base 350/3spd '70 Firebird parts car in '00.

[unruhjonny]

(sorry I feel like rambling)

To continue on regarding the 1997 HPP magazine W66-L74/M13 car;

The article suggests that it has an optional deluxe steering wheel, but it was in fact the standard wheel for the Esprit & Formula.
It mentions many of the options I've listed below, directly or indirectly, and also points out the lack of recessed wipers, power brakes, or rally gauges which I've observed (less PB) is all fairly common for early Formulas.

Ignoring the puff writeup's obvious errors, it seems that the car has the following options;

• 348/L74 'Ram Air' 400cid ($168.51)
• 401 AM pushbutton radio ($61.09)
• 411 rear seat speaker ($15.80)
• 451 custom belts ($12.64)
• 471 wheel trim rings ($21.06)
• 492 clock ($15.80)
• 501 power steering ($105.32)
• 521 front floor mats ($6.85)
• 522 rear floor mats ($6.32)
• 524 trunk mat ($8.43)
• 532 tinted front glass($26.33)

The story car, has $448.15 (or a 13.2% raise over base price) in eleven options - I'd hardly consider it a "no option car".

As a point of comparison, my car has seven options;

• 401 AM pushbutton radio ($61.09)
• 484 Rally gauges with tach & clock ($94.79)
• 494 console ($58.98)
• 501 power steering ($105.32)
• 502 power brakes ($42.13)
• 521 front floor mats ($6.85)
• 522 rear floor mats ($6.32)

The total using american advertised prices brings my car's price up $376.15 (or 11.2%) over base Formula model pricing...

Although I could cope with an L74/M13 equipped gold over saddle Formula with no gauges, and no power brakes - frankly I'd rather an L78/M13 equipped carousel red over black, rally gauge, console, power brake car... especially considering I have EVERYTHING to make it appear as an L74 car...

Crap do I relish in the diversity that early Formulas have...
I'd love to have several examples - but all must be or at least appear 100% correct.

And where's my winning lottery ticket!?!?

[johnta1]

Mine was a low option Coronado Gold Formula also:

• TML? F70X14 WL FG
• 401 AM pushbutton radio
• 501 power steering
• 502 power brakes
• 532 Glass-S/R-WS
• CMA change alert

What was strange is the radio was an AM/FM.
(change alert?)

The 3 speed shifter I thought kinda sucked.
The throw from 1st to 2nd was long and would 'catch' in between in neutral.
Had to finesse it on hard shifts.

The arms would work loose from the tranny a lot.
Had to keep tightening them up every other day.
(would get stuck in between gears and had to crawl under to loosen and readjust them if I didn't)

Ended up putting a RA III and 4 speed in it.
It flew then.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by johnta1

Mine was a low option Coronado Gold Formula also:

• TML? F70X14 WL FG
• 401 AM pushbutton radio
• 501 power steering
• 502 power brakes
• 532 Glass-S/R-WS
• CMA change alert

What was strange is the radio was an AM/FM.
(change alert?)

The 3 speed shifter I thought kinda sucked.
The throw from 1st to 2nd was long and would 'catch' in between in neutral.
Had to finesse it on hard shifts.

The arms would work loose from the tranny a lot.
Had to keep tightening them up every other day.
(would get stuck in between gears and had to crawl under to loosen and readjust them if I didn't)

Ended up putting a RA III and 4 speed in it.
It flew then.

Cool!

Thanks for sharing your personal experience.

How long ago did you do the drivetrain swap?

I am not a big fan of OEM linkage, and find that between their design, and hte rubber bushings, that things can go sour...

[johnta1]

How long ago did you do the drivetrain swap?

About 1976.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by johnta1

About 1976.

wow!!

[Formulabruce]

The M-12 cars with 3 speed floor shifter used a different shifter, to my knowledge, or possible just different rods. The more I go throught my shifters, the more confusing it gets. Great thread!

[unruhjonny]

as far as 1970 Firebird RPO's are concerned;

M12 = Saginaw (was column shifted standard equipment transmission with the base model unless a console was ordered - which made it floor shifted; std as floor shift on the Esprit)

M13 = Muncie (aka: production order code #355/M13 "Heavy Duty - Floor shift" transmission option for base & Esprit's; required #343/L30 350on base car)

The Saginaw always used an ITM shifter, and it very well could have had totally different linkage.

[2manyT/A'S]

'nother one...?


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Sag...caf402&vxp=mtr

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

'nother one...?


http://www.ebay.com/itm/Original-Sag...caf402&vxp=mtr

M12 = Saginaw/ITM shifter - surprisingly easy to find.