>>>>>,This was my best friend ,Bob's '58 Impala Convertable ,,348 Tri-Power with a FACTORY 4 Speed ,,was purchased new by his father in '58 and Bob bought it from him in '61,, the first '57 i ever rode in ,in '57 ,was a black 150 busness coupe w' a dual quad 270 hp 283 and a dealer installed 4 speed ,,,was owned by my friends brother ,Jim Roberts in Pontiac ,Illinois ,,he was a mechanic at the local Chevy Dealer ,,it had a shifter much like the one in the pic of the '58 ,
Even the 57 Corvette 3 speed was different then the one in the passenger car. I had a 220 hp 57 Vette w/close ratio 3 speed. I split the case in half like an egg and ran over the gear set speed shifting it. I bought a 6 cyl trans and used the Corvette tailshaft with the floor shift in it. This changed it from a 2.20 low gear to a 2.95 which was really good for slow roll street racing
I seems like in all of these years NO one has produced ANY paperwork to prove once and for all that the 57-58 Chevy came with a factory or dealer installed 4 speed.Also it seems as if no one has even tried to Fake paper work. Out of all the cars built by GM in 57-58 why have these papers or proof never came forth to prove that this did happen !!!! Tom ( Tired Old Man)
Yes, Chevrolet put 4 speeds in cars in 1957 including the Bel Aire Mission: Transmission Chevrolet indeed really showed the performance way in 1957. Its optional engines were all front-runners, especially the mechanical lifter versions. The engineers also knew that proper driveline components were also needed to let their performance engines work to maximum potential. A properly geared transmission would let the '57 Chevrolet lead the way and boy did it ever. Chevrolet contracted with Borg-Warner Automotive to create a four-speed transmission. It became available on April 9, 1957, about six months into the '57s calendar year production run. It featured full synchromesh gearing and a cast iron main case. It was said to have cost about $188 as an option, slightly more over-the-counter. Perhaps a few thousand passenger cars were so-equipped by the end of the model year production. A total of 664 Corvette were special-ordered with the new four-speed gearbox. We should note that many passenger cars were retro-fitted either at the dealership or by the owner at home or in a private garage. Manual transmission three-speed column-shift mechanisms were the scourge on all cars, including Chevrolets. Writers of the day highly recommended first that the Corvette three-speed floor-shift linkage be installed in Chevy passenger cars-then recommended the complete Borg-Warner four-speed transmission assembly. Chevrolet coined the word "Positraction" for "Positive Traction". This meant both rear tires were getting the same amount of power to each one, not to just the right rear tire as was the case without Positraction. Prior to 1957, one had to either "shim" the spider gears tighter to help transmit power to the left rear tire or weld the spider gears together. The latter was a no-no on the street because now both tires turned at the same ratio. Good when going forward in a straight line but not good when cornering. Posi cost just over $48 retail. You could also select what gear ratio you wanted, be it 3.70, 4.11 or 4.56. Some ratios were factory-installed while others were dealer-installed. I am an old drag racer...been going to the drag since 1957. I had a friend order and recieve a 1957 two door hardtop Bel Aire with a 283 V-8 with dual four carbs and a 4 speed on the floor transmission. I saw it the day he picked it up at the Chevy dealer. A few years later he raced it in the stock classes at NHRA strips. "Wasn't anybody there except me and Little Skeets"
to add more to a pile already full of it....even the BRASS HATS couldn't get the factory to "COPO" them a 4spd car in 1957. Problem already outlined in here...stock shifters wouldn't work - not only was the Vette stick too short, it needed to be bent way forward, making even more difficult to reach and the factory would not support any modification that could not be effected with parts off of the shelf. Lawman (TOM) said it first, and it's still so after two pages - there were NO 4speed 57 Chev passenger cars from the factory - no matter WHO you were. Dealers were delighted to make the necessary changes...on an hourly basis of course. I've never seen a 4spd 58 Chev p/car either....although I have seen one with FI...another rare item. dj
As is typical of most 1950s and 1960s collector cars, the most sought-after models are top-line, heavily optioned con­vertibles and two-door hardtops. Today, most Chev­rolet collectors fawn over glitzy, two-toned Bel-Airs festooned with plenty of flashy factory accessories. However, not every new Chevrolet shopper in the mid-1950s was swayed by fender skirts, bumper guards, tissue dispensers, signal-seeking radios, or Autronic Eye headlamp control. Some buyers just wanted to go as fast as possible for as little money as necessary, and were willing to forego creature comforts in the pursuit of speed. The age-old recipe for going fast on the cheap hasn't changed much over the years: Simply drop the hottest engine into the lightest, cheapest body available, and hold the frills. The 1956 Chevrolet One-Fifty shown here is a textbook example of the perfect budget bomb. With a 3,117-pound curb weight and a $1,734 base price, the One-Fifty two-door utility sedan was the lightest and least-expensive model Chevrolet offered in 1956. A single chrome side spear (a new embellishment for the series) and small hubcaps highlighted its austere exterior trim. Interior accoutrements were equally Spartan: rubber floor mats; a single sun visor; and no radio, heater, or clock. The rear windows were fixed -- who needs roll-down rear windows with no back seat? The utility sedan featured a 31-cubic-foot cargo area lined by "dur­able composition-board loadspace walls" behind the single split-bench seat. While most 1956 Chevrolets were available in an array of interior color choices, One-Fifty sedan buyers had no options; a beige and gold-striped vinyl with golden-flecked black pattern cloth was the sole trim combination. The Chevrolet small-block V-8 was already well on its way to becoming a performance legend when the 1956 models were introduced. A disguised 1956 Chevrolet prepared and driv­en by Corvette engineering guru Zora Arkus-Duntov set a new Pikes Peak hill-climb record on Labor Day 1955, and hot-rodders were quickly discovering how well the new engine responded to performance modifications. Chevrolet engineers did a little hot rodding of their own when the Corvette dual-four-barrel 265 was made available as an across-the-board option midway through the 1956 season. With the first of the famous "Duntov" cams, dual four-barrel carbs, lightweight valves, and larger intake and exhaust ports, it was good for 225 bhp at 5,200 rpm. The Carter carburetors were topped with a large "bat­wing" air cleaner from which hung two oil-bath air filters. Claremont, California, Chevrolet dealer Richard Hibbard owns the meticulously restored Matador Red sedan featured here. Its options are limited to the hot engine, Powerglide automatic transmission, and factory-accessory dual exhaust tips. Better yet, when I was 16 I had one of these 1956 Chevy 150 with the dual four barrells from the factory with a 3 speed and solid lifter Duntov camshaft, Boy did it run. i beat everything in town with it. Wish I had it back. "Wasn't anybody there except me and Little Skeet" Happy roddin guys!!
little skeet sez: "Perhaps a few thousand passenger cars were so-equipped by the end of the model year production. A total of 664 Corvette were special-ordered with the new four-speed gearbox. " So...in YOUR version, there were more passenger cars that came equipped with the 4Speed than Corvettes? Har de har har har...give me a break. You show me the GM documentation of this...not out of some book published using hearsay and the other bilgewater that has been surrounding this myth. What is the exact source of the information that you used above? dj
skeet - quit cutting and pasting out of magazines....makes you sound unknowledgeable....as you apparently are
Does "Perhaps" mean "Maybe", "Could have been", "I wish,"I think so","Heard once","Someone once told a friend of my mail mans sisters Doctors aunt who had a Desoto and wanted a 4 speed in something" kind of thing. Sorry to all but this gets better all the time !!!!!! LOL.Tom ( tired Old Man)
Just because YOU haven't seen it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. In March of 1957 my father went to Luby Chevrolet in Boston, Mass. He order ordered sven compoany cars, mostly 210 four door sedans. And, for himself, a 1957 BelAir convertible WITH FOUR SPEED. I did my license driver test in 1958 in this car. Also, dual exhast. Factory? I dunno.I am not certain that these were factory installed, but the car was delivered with both.
Chevrolet contracted with Borg-Warner Automotive to create a four-speed transmission. It became available on April 9, 1957, about six months into the '57s calendar year production run. It featured full synchromesh gearing and a cast iron main case. It was said to have cost about $188 as an option, slightly more over-the-counter. Perhaps a few thousand passenger cars were so-equipped by the end of the model year production. You need to read the entire article, up above the last paragraph that you copied. Yes, of course many guys added four speeds. After seeing the factory ones, they wanted to have one too! "Wasn't anybody there except me and Little Skeets" P.S. Are you old enough to have been around at that time? I was!
Hey Flatheadguy, Thanks for the input.You state you took your drivers test in 1958 in a 4 speed 57 chevy. I know its been a long time but do you remember if the seat was notched for the shifter and what did the shift handle look like? The shift handle on the above pictured 58 Chev rag top looks like a 59 or 60 chevy 4 speed handle and you will notice the seat in the rag top is not cut to clear the handle. Thanks again. Tom ( Tired Old Man)
Little Skeet,that essay you posted ,"Mission Transmission",is taken from Super Chevy magazine.They didn't list any documentation and you didn't either . This is perfect,no one knows for sure,the legend lives on. But...on the "Black Widow" website there's something mentioned called a "Competition Guide" issued to some Chevy dealers on or about April 12 about racing stuff.Some place in the guide says that ALL 57 283/283 FI cars were delivered with a 3 speed trans. Some collectors probably have the guides. Maybe Chevy didn't let the racers have the best tranny???
Ok,I found a link to the competition guide,April,19,1957 .Interesting reading..... http://www.oldcarmanualproject.com/books/1957ChevyStockCarCompGuide/index.htm
I looked closely at the photo of the '58 in post # 31 and it sure looks like there's a hub on the steering column for a shifter. Partly hidden by the steering wheel but that's what it looks like. Still waiting for documentation on one of these "unicorns". Seems like everything so far supports the theory that the '57 factory 4 speed full size cars never happened.
Unlike the "factory '57 4 speed passenger car" debate, there are still plenty 1917-18 Chevrolet V8 cars to prove that point.
The competetion guide was good reading. But, note, it says to order from the March 1957 parts guide. The 4 speed was not made available until April or a little later. My friend got his in August. It was in a small town, 3500 pop and not a big Chevy dealer that did any new car mods to sell them like some of the larger ones did. Yes, I was there and saw it. Still with the paper on the carpet and the seats covered from the factory. My friend could not wait to get it, so we were there the day it came in. How many of you witnessed a dealer putting in the 4 speeds so you can tell us first hand that you saw it?
Ok Guys and Gals,been a few days and what do you all think about some kind of answer ? Is it best this issue is dropped or what? My guess is most will say "What" Have fun !!!! Tom ( Tired Old Man)
IZZY...I can tell you what know. in 1957 i saw a 57 hardtop brand new with a 4 speed in it. the how's and why's i don't know. but his dad baught it for him...POP.
I asked around a few sites dedicated to 55-57 Chevys and was told by more supposed experts there were zero,like none,factory 57 cars with 4 speeds.And the same experts said there were zero,none,58 cars with factory 4 speeds.First factory 4 speed car was 1959. One guy said he worked in a large Chevy dealership in the 50-60's and he remembers selling a few 4 speeds over the counter late in 1957.He assumed they went in cars,not Vettes,but who knows. It would be interesting to see any Borg Warner production numbers for 4 speeds they built in 1957. There doesn't seem to be any offical records on any of this...so....you believe whatever stories or don't believe them.
No, I wasn't there. But NO ONE has any documentation to prove it ever happened and all the reputable sources reflect what I've said here before and what Truckedup just posted. Having a dealer install one after the factory sent it out is no different than a private garage doing the swap..Seems like no one can produce paperwork showing a legit dealer swap anyway. Can we let this die now??
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