To shift or not to shift

[RETROBIRD]

How many of my fellow t-birders have thrown the shift handle to the right and used the so called manual shift option? I myself have tried it a couple of times, but without a third pedal it’s just not the same.
I love my car and can only imagine how much better our Retrobirds would have been with a few more options...

[steelblue5505]

I use the SST a lot.

What other options would you have like to have seen on these cars keeping in mind they were designed to keep their bvld cruiser image & built 18 yrs ago?

[007Cruiser]

I rarely use it but it’s there if I need it. Same thing with my newer Chrysler.

[RETROBIRD]

Well for one a true manual shift 4 speed would have made a nice option. Would love to have seen a turbo or supercharger. A retractable hard top I think would have been a better option than lifting off and on a awkward hard top. I realize most have a hoist for that but I never opted for one. Plus storage space in the garage was tough when I had two tops. Heated mirrors and a rear camera and maybe a gps unit integrated into the stereo to name a few. I’m one of those that believe the T-Bird should have gone toe to toe with the Vette. I think McNamara made a huge mistake back in the 50’s.

[Elky64]

The first 2 years, Lincoln offered a manual on the LS sedan(sister ship). Also Jag in the sister model had manual available. When I was a kid I helped a few friends change cars over in either direction, ie auto to stick or stick to auto. But these newer cars, with computers running everything......I'm not so ambitious anymore. Plus you'd have to have the entire dash out to mount the hardware for the clutch pedal, and you'd need the Lincoln donor car outside so you could get All the hardware. After that, solving any computer and electrical issues.
Same with dropping in the 450hp Jag setup they had for a couple of years. Someone must have tried it.......don't know if they reported in.

[Frank Dreano]

The faux shifter is a joke IMO. Never use it, I can shift this when I feel the need. IMG_0054.JPG

[007Cruiser]

The faux shifter is a joke IMO. Never use it, I can shift this when I feel the need. IMG_0054.JPG

I guess you were supposed to share your drink back then.

[11TH GEN]

I guess you were supposed to share your drink back then.

That's an aftermarket item. Shouldn't be drinks in a car anyway.

[carntz]

That's an aftermarket item. Shouldn't be drinks in a car anyway.

Your right as you could hit a bump and spill it

[007Cruiser]

That's an aftermarket item. Shouldn't be drinks in a car anyway.

Right. No drinking and driving.

[2K2BIRD]

The first 2 years, Lincoln offered a manual on the LS sedan(sister ship). Also Jag in the sister model had manual available.

I think the manuals were only available in the V6 models. Even the Jag supercharged V8 just came with a 6 speed automatic.

[Frank Dreano]

That's an aftermarket item. Shouldn't be drinks in a car anyway.

You're pretty busy when piloting that car - so not much drinking, the cup holder usually holds my cell phone (and no, I don't use that and drive either!)

[wcoates]

I guess you were supposed to share your drink back then.

Gene, Gene, Gene look at those seats, Frank obviously does not let a passenger sit in his car.

I've said it before on this site. No Borlas but a K & N CAI. About four times a year I slap it over and take it up to about 6000 RPMs in each gear. Certainly isn't back to the late 60s or early 70s but it still sounds good. Try it if not afraid of roasting the tranny. (Hmnn wonder f that had anything to do with my tranny problems in the past????)

[NotU]

I do miss the 6 speed manual I had in the car before this Thunderbird but on occasion, overall, the automatic is nice too.
I have used the right side for mountain driving.

[hippy_mailman]

I do use the SST sometimes and I like it. but here is the honesty, when I use it sometimes I forget I am using it!!and I wonder why my motor is revving so high on the other hand I do more often use D4 instead of D5 when in small towns,and yes I have left it in D4 after leaving a town too. I also almost always drive with anti slip on cancel