I have a 69 SS 396 Chevelle getting restored. It presently has a 4 spd floor shift that was put in by a previous owner. When we took the body off we noticed, where the column comes thru the firewall, that it appears to have a manual column. It doesn't look like it was replaced. Looks original. Is it possible that it came with a 3 spd column shift? I know some cars came that way, but I'm not sure if an SS came that way. The inside of the car looks all original based on the old 396 emblems, etc. The space between gauges also don't show an automatic shift pattern, like it might have been a column automatic. Its just blank. So, I'm guessing it was a 3 spd stick on the column. The clutch rod coming from the firewall looks original as well. Doesn't look added on. Thanks for your help. CPD

I think that you are talking about the lever on the lower end of the floor shift steering column. That lever is for the Steering Column/Transmission Shift Interlock System. There should be a linkage coming from the reverse lever on the manual transmission. That linkage connects to the lower lever on the steering column. When you shift into Reverse the linkage should push the lever all the way to the UP position. This would allow you to rotate your ignition key to OFF-LOCK. When in OFF-LOCK your engine will be off and it will lock your steering wheel and shifter lever. You will also be able to remove your key.

Jim

I believe the SS would only have a floor mounted 3-speed manual transmission. The Malibu and 300 Deluxe would probably be column shift as a default but the 3-speed transmission was different than the one in the SS.

Plus what JIML82 said about the transmission/column lock device. :D

All of the above is good info.
Regarding manual 3sp trannys, I believe the BB cars with an originally installed 3sp, only got the HD version of the 3sp. The 3sp SS BB cars (as well as 3sp L79 cars) are rather uncommon, but they did get built. A HD 3sp tranny was every bit as strong as a Muncie, PLUS, they were in a cast iron case, which made them even stronger--------------and heavier!!!:(

I missed the possibility concerning a "three on the tree" column shift three speed manual transmission. If you have a column shift manual transmission steering column there will be two shift levers on the lower end of the column.


Jim

From my 1969 owner's manual and I'm pretty sure the live photo is one too but not 100% positive. It's from a 13369 300 Deluxe 4-dr sedan and note there's no shift pattern on the plate.