Column Shift
 

Was there a factory option for a column shifted 1966 GTO? I have found a 66 GTO I'm interested in but I haven't seen a column before.

Automatic? Yes if you didn't get a console. Manual no there was not.

While not offered outright you could pay extra and have one installed.
Very little info and even fewer known cars out there, but they do exist.

Wasnt this on all automatics A and F-bodies? If no console was ordered you got it on the tree.

Hmmmmm...


Mecum Kissimmee 2022 Lot F147.1


https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1642256168

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1642256203

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1642256230

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1642256266

Like to see the BHC for that?

The console has a code (472) but I don't see a code for a 'shifter' whether floor or column.

Is that a 3 speed manual column shifter?
(which would be column shifter)

:confused:

I saw that on Mecum also. Was news to me. I think you could pretty much get anything that you wanted back then.

Regarding the block-off plates on this car. Pontiac took the time and effort to have a matching woodgrain plate for the console, but did not bother for the radio delete plate.

Is that a factory radio block-off plate? I had an all original '65 Chevelle SS with one. I believe it matched the rest of the dash.

According to previous posts in this forum, the correct plate is GM 9782742 for 1966. Its a black grained die cast plate.

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...8&d=1381878625

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...1&d=1642266388

What is even more interesting, those VERY FEW cars with heater delete used a woodgrain block off plate...

https://forums.maxperformanceinc.com...8&d=1510095536

Interesting to know. Probably pretty rare.

No '66s had woodgrain Delete plates.
The one shown above was/is '67.

Now if you was something rarely seen/found,
'66 Heater Delete/Block off.

According to the Mecum listing text for that car, an article was written about it in 1991 which describes that the original owner was first told "No" when he asked for a center console to accompany the 3-speed column shift. But he had an inside contact at the Kansas City assembly plant who he pressured, wined, and dined into building it for him. In that context, it makes it sound like this configuration is 1-of-1.

Seems like a lot of trouble to go through to just end up with a 3-speed column shift when he could've easily gotten the better 4-speed and normal 4-speed center console like everyone else. But I guess he wanted to be different. Must have been a big fan of block-off plates... :)