When was the last time you drove a vehicle that had three on the tree?

Yes, we know what “three on the tree” is. It’s a pretentious way of referring to a three-speed manual transmission with the gearshift lever mounted on the steering column. And no, I’ve never driven one. Just four-on-the-floor for me.

1972 Dodge Coronet

When I was about 12 years old Dad let me drive it on our street.

I never drove one, but I rode in one once that I can remember. The sister of a friend of mine was driving, and I was a young teen. The car was old even then, but I don’t know what year it was.

I drove a pickup with three on the tree about 30 or 35 years ago. I don’t remember whose it was. Not mine.

It was a work van back in 1985. I am guessing it was about 10 years old.

My friend’s mom’s station wagon in 1971. I think it was a Pontiac.

A 1964 Ford F-100 about 1992.

A 1960 Corvette convertible – over 25 years ago. It was not a pleasure to drive.

- One down, 4 up. Kawasaki. All 5 up Kawasaki.500 – Last summer

1970’s monte carlo I test drove and almost bought for my first car as a 16 year old kid. It was as awkward as you can imagine.

Early 70s 63 chevy 6 cylinder sedan. Simple, rugged, sensible, reliable. I remember it fondly.

‘69 Firebird. My first car back in 1976.

I’ve got six on the floor in my Mini roadster.

I don’t remember the last time but, I took “Driver’s Ed” in a Ford Falcon that was a 1963 with a three speed.

My ‘56 Pontiac. What a car!!

It has been 39 years, 1978, since I drove one.

In the late 70’s a roommate had a ‘62 Ford Falcon with absolutely zero added accessories. It had beenhis grandma’s grocery shopping car. No radio, no floor mats, no carpet.

The 3 on a tree was a great transmission in that car.

Oh Lord, have I got a question for you, @filmfann!

I’m pretty sure I’ve driven every thing that’s out there. I didn’t get my first automatic until 1998. I prefer standard.
I’ll have to go see what makes and models in the 70’s and 80’s had 3 on the tree to tell you if I’ve driven one. I think up is park, middle would be drive, and down would be reverse, correct? It’s kind of what my hands are telling me as a memory. (I’m sitting here shifting in my seat. Glad no one can see me.)

I think it doesn’t really stand out in my mind because pretty much ALL automatics were 3 on the tree before the 80’s weren’t they? My dad bought a 75 Oldsmobile new. Pretty sure it was 3 on the tree.

The OLDEST vehicle I’ve driven was a 40’s something Chevy pick up. It had push out windshields. It was cool. It was at a party. It was dark. Guy said he didn’t think I could drive it. I knew him well enough that I was pretty sure he wasn’t going to attack me. It was just a challange. So we went driving out in the country. I did a three point turn to get turned around.

No, @Dutchess_III, I was driving 4 on the floor sticks in the 70s. The only sticks on the steering columns that anybody I knew drove were on station wagons (and one large Impala sedan). The others were all on the floor.

OK. Well, I know I have. It just isn’t memorable enough for me to remember it. I’ll ask Rick.

They also came on most passenger vans, and cargo type vans, plus a bunch of half ton pick ups.
The last one I drove was a 78 dodge van, the last one I rode in was a late 70’s GMC pick up.
Kinda neat seeing people remember them, I wonder if anyone under the age of 25 would even know what it was?

I learned to drive on a such vehicle….pickup truck. I haven’t driven three-on-the-column in 30 or so years. I have never owned an automatic trans vehicle though. I won’t give up the clutch.

Probably not @SQUEEKY2. They don’t know about a LOT of things!

@Dutchess_III This statement “I think it doesn’t really stand out in my mind because pretty much ALL automatics were 3 on the tree before the 80’s weren’t they? My dad bought a 75 Oldsmobile new. Pretty sure it was 3 on the tree. makes no sense.

We aren’t talking about automatic transmissions, but a manual stick shift with the 3 forward gear shifter on the steering column.

OK. Well, then now I have to think. All I ever drove was a a standard until 1998. Learned how to drive in a standard. Again, if I did drive 3 on a tree, it doesn’t stand out.