What 1950's cars came from the factory with a console shifter? I'd love to see pics if you've got'em!
someone pleae verify this, 'cause i'm not sure my memory is that good anymore; but haven't i seen a restored '58 bonneville with bucket seats/console/floor shift?
I remember taking the shifter and console out of about a 56 or 57 Chrysler, I think. That was a couple of decades ago so my memory could be failing me. I hung onto it for years and finally sold it.
I am 99.999% certain that GM did not build a full-sized car with a floor-shifted manual transmission until the '60s. Yet you always meet some fool at a car show who has a seemingly "all original", restored '57 Chevy with an injected 283 and a floor-shift 4-speed in it. THEY SIMPLY NEVER EXISTED. lol
Chrysler did a prototype car with the body by Ghia back in 56 or 57 that had kind of a console,,the car was called a DART. HRP
Pontiacs weren't available with a four speed floor shift until the second half of the 1960 model year. I think they were available in full size Chevrolets before that but I'm not sure.
60 Pontiac Ventura had four on the floor without a console. There was reportedly a toploader offered in the parts book, as were some other trick items like cams, aluminum bumpers, etc. I believe Chevrolet had floor shift 4 speeds in 59.
In the 50s there were floor shifters (55-57 Thunderbird, Corvette, 59 Chevy 4-speed) and there was at least one with buckets and console (58+ Thunderbird), but I am not aware of any 50s car with both. The closest is probably the 58-59 Corvette with the floor plate and waterfall dash.
I think 1960 Bonnevilles w 4 speed had the Corvette "consolet"...i.e. the shifter plate from the Corvette.
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