|
|
| Vote for The Forward Look Network on the Mopar Top 100 Sites |
From: Kenny J.
Email: kjosephson@sprintmail.com
Remote Name: 158.252.201.101
Date: August 22, 2002
Hey, Bob.......I've learned a long time ago that just because something is in print, it isn't always true. For example, 1972 Roadrunner literature lists the 440 Six Pack as still being available. Maybe a handfull were actually built early in the model year, but that doesn't seem likely with the switch to lower compression throughout the 1972 performance V-8 offerings (340, 400, 440.) Then again (for a few years), Chevrolet offered the SS package on all two door hardtop Impalas, including six cylinder versions! I have seen three '65 Impala SS hardtops with factory installed six poppers and Powerglide transmissions. So even if Plymouth offered the 318 two barrel on base '59 Furys and three speed sticks in both the '59 Fury and Sport Fury, that's no guarantee any were built that way. I am aware of some 318 four barrel and 361Plymouths built with sticks during the '57-'59 period, but they were few and far between. They were probably ordered with manual transmissions by performance buffs who wanted to shift their own gears. These cars were probably thrashed early on as many 348 Chevys, 390 Fords and other high performance full size cars were into the mid sixties. Once the intermediate size muscle cars hit the show rooms, the 361 Furys, 348/409 Impalas, 352/390 Galaxies with manual tranmissions became orphans. The middle age crowd didn't want a full size five year old car with a three on the tree (or owner installed floor shifter) anymore than the muscle car crowd wanted to drive a full size 3800 behemoth with only three speeds. So these beasts were probably bought up by high school kids and totally thrashed. I can also remember kids buying these full size performance models for a couple of hundred bucks, pulling the engine to transplant into a smaller car and having the body hauled off to the bone yard.
