<VV> Corsa 3-sp update and collected comments

[JVHRoberts at aol.com]

Back then, GM and others were NOTORIOUS for NOT making 4 speeds standard  
equipment. My brother had a GTO with a Ford 3 speed (yes, from the FACTORY! GM  
called it the Dearborn transmission), my buddy in college got a 1969 Corvette  
cheap with a 3 speed stick, and so on. Why? Maybe to keep the sticker price  
down? Fortunately, nothing like that happens today, and in a lot of ways, 
having  option 'packages' means there's FAR less chance of a car missing something 
like  this. 
 
In a message dated 12/31/2005 11:15:40 AM Eastern Standard Time,  
NicolCS at aol.com writes:

Thanks  to all who responded.  Two VVers referred me to a fellow in Omaha who 
 
actually has a Corsa 3-sp with only 22,000 miles.

The listmembers  who forwarded information or stories all mentioned one 
thing: 
These cars  are all oddball units - likely special ordered by a customer.

Here's  the rundown:
65 Corsa 180/3, Evening Orchid, no option car (excepting the  180).  There 
isn't even an outside rearview mirror!  It does  have a dealer-added radio.  
The 
car has 22,000 miles (hmm) and the  owner reports strong boost in 2nd gear 
(unlike the 4-speed  180).

Bob Bentz reports: "I repaired one for a customer in central Fl.  I thought 
it 
was strange to 
be driving a 65 140 Corsa with a  non-sychro 1st gear 3 spd. trans."

Frank Burkhard reported trying to  buy one:  "I tried to buy it (even with 
the 
3 speed), but the owner  couldn't make up his mind to sell it.  I left my 
name 
and number,  but, of course, I never heard from him again." (wierd car, wierd 
 
seller)

Bill Stanley opines: Speculation has always been that  Corsas equipped with 
3-speeds were 
mistakes--that the dealer neglected  to order the 4-speed when placing the 
order!

Tom Zimmerman: I  remember going to Jon Klinkert's back in the mid-70's to 
help him do a  clutch job, I think, on a black 63 (?) Spyder vert;strange 
that 
someone  would opt for the turbo, AND a convertible, but not a 4sp...

"RB"  reports:  I had a 66 Monza once with a 140,HD suspension w/ quick  
steering, telescoping column ,Posi and a 3spd. I could never understand  why 
someone 
would order 
that combo, or why Chev. would build it,  unless special ordered. RB

And I remember seeing the only Cameo-Beige  Corsa I've ever seen. In 
additition to the odd color, it was a 3-speed  Corsa convertible as well.

The 3-speed has to be ideal "standard  equipment" in the eyes of product 
planners.  An unwanted but  serviceable base item to permit a low base price 
than 
provides the  opportunity to sell the M20 or M35 (4sp and PG) option to 85% 
of 
the  buyers.  Ever thought about this:  The 3-speed is a "standard"  
transmission. 
Referring to the 4-speed as a "standard transmission" is  technically 
incorrect.  Our 4-speed is not a "standard transmission"  - it's the 
"optional" manual 
transmission...  (Oh Pleeze...for the  love of Pete, Craig stop!)
Craig  N.
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