Driving a 1959 Chevrolet Bel Air 283 Stick Shift - ROAD TEST

[jwcasciato]

Back in high school (late 70s) I had a 1950 Studebaker Champion with a 3-spd on the column and OD like this Chevy (very nice Bel Air Sedan, by the way). I drove my old Studey all over the place and NEVER had a bit of trouble with it! Didn't matter if I was in town or on the highway. She fun to drive and shifting up or down was smooth and easy, Never sloppy either. She had one great advantage over the rest though: Studebaker's "Hill-Holder". I really love and miss driving a "3-on-the-tree"!

[accin88]

sweet ride how is your highway mpg when your driving conservatively? im looking into buying a 4 door impala between the years of 1959-1964 with either the 283 v8 or the straight 6 230 and trying to see if i would get 18-20mpg. my 70 chevelle got 17 around town with a 307, 2 barrel powerglide and 308 gears. so since my chevelle got that im thinking its possible to get that outta an impala

[4spdBernie]

@accin88 Thank you. I'd recommend finding your "new" commuter with overdrive - you can easily expect 20+ hwy mpg with a 283 and more with a 6 (driving habits and length of trips will affect actual mileage). I saw a nice '68 Chevelle 4 door 307 with stick overdrive just recently sell.

[accin88]

@4spdBernie thanks for the help ! 

[KOOLDAVE1953]

Hmm...We used to refer to those column shifters as 'three on the tree'.

[4spdBernie]

@KOOLDAVE1953 Yes - very true!

[KOOLDAVE1953]

Ok...so where's the 'Stick Shift'??

[4spdBernie]

@KOOLDAVE1953 It's stickin' outta da steerin' column.

[1968DodgePolara]

Nice beautiful 59 Bel Air I love this year a lot better than the over exposed 57.

[archer49d]

Really neat, I'm looking at buying a Belair for a daily driver (yeah, I'm crazy), and a lot of the ads I've come across are for the 3 speed manual (3 on the tree), seems to be similar to what you got here, I was wondering if you could offer any insights as to how it differs from driving a "modern" manual.

[4spdBernie]

@archer49d Daily driver? Nothing crazy about it! As long as shifter bushings are in good shape the difference between floor vs column shifting is you may feel more "play" in the column setups due to more parts in the linkage. If you have hwy travel in mind, I'd recommend finding your "new" '59 commuter with overdrive - you can easily expect 20+ hwy mpg with a 283 and more with a 6 (driving habits and lengtt of trips will affect actual mileage). A 348 would be fun, too... !

[archer49d]

@4spdBernie Thanks for the info, is the column set up and more "annoying" when driving in traffic than a floor shifter? Luckily my normal drive to work is a 40 minute cruise down a coastal road with little to no traffic, but the stuff happens from time to time anyway.

[4spdBernie]

@archer49d Not for me; and likely not for many drivers. Years ago (back in the '30s) column shift meant upscale - all the floor shift cars were base models - like a delivery truck.

[OldsMannn]

how's cupcake?

[4spdBernie]

@OldsMannn She's fine fine - waitin' for me to get around to gettin' another old stick car running for yes, another vid! Looks like a big block '63 Galaxie Boxttop will be up next - stay tuned...

[ackalert]

Hit my 1st deer with one of these - the 59 won.

[wanabtkd]

Hey im new to stick shift and my ford 1988 ranger Xlt has an over drive gear can some one explain to me what the over drive can be used for????

[4spdBernie]

@wanabtkd Hello,

In your 1988 Ranger it's simply another gear in the trans; in other words, it's a 5 speed. An old car like this Chevy the overdrive is actually another trans connected behind the main trans offering .70 +/- top ratio (higher top speed and/or better mpg) and free-wheeling (neutral) below about 25 mph (for easy shifting in town). Have fun with the Ranger!

[wanabtkd]

@4spdBernie Thank you man i appreciate it

[4spdBernie]

@weightfeather1 There's always next time!

[5610winston]

I remember the shift linkage hanging up almost every time my buddy shifted first to second in his GM cars.

My Stude never had that problem. The Stude had the OD t-bar to the left of the wheel by the hood release and the heater handle, and the starter was a button under the clutch pedal.

[MrRonnieG]

"Three on the tree with OD" is what we use to call 'em.

[abidou1999]

I had one like that,same color,but it was a 1960.Great car.

[outdoorsman310]

wow that sounds and looks great

[4spdBernie]

@outdoorsman310 Thank you! It's one of our favorites. Very fun.

[tankerman25]

283 327 same block bore different still like my 265

[crosley72]

Great video, I prefer to drive without shoes, to have greater sensitivity on the pedals. Especially cars with manual transmission.

[tnhl77]

@crosley72 it's illegal in some states though :/

[toddcharry]

I love that old V8 sound when you stepped on it. Nice video, I missed out on buying a 59' wagon, hopefully will get one someday. I love the old station wagons. I agree with the other poster regarding styling of the 59 and 60 models. New cars don't have the personality the old ones have. Thanks again.

[rustysteam]

the 283's were great motors....3 on the tree, and 4th on the dash??!! lol....cool...

[adamlinks]

Super... except the shoes !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[4spdBernie]

@adamlinks Perhaps, but they look waaaaay better than my feet! Thanks for the note!

[Seattlecarnut]

Awesome video! I've never driven a manual shift car, at least not one with the shifter on the steering column. My grandparents had a 65 Chevy pickup truck with a three on the tree manual. I was just a little boy, of around 7, when they had the truck, but I remember it.

[cartoonist1975]

GM runS DEEP ;)

[grandcarriage1]

VERY cool video. In my opinion the 59 and 60 (especially the 60 convertable) were the styling apex of these cars. I have a question... I understand that the overdrive on these cars is like an additional transmission to overgear the drive train... why would you use it on second? Isn't overdrive a cruising gear for economy? And when you say in the vid, "Opening up the secondaries"...are you referring to a secondary barrel in the carb? Thanks for your time and the wonderful video.

[dwi189]

Thanks for the info....I found this particular video interesting because I grew up with my Dad's 1965 Impala 4 door hardtop....That '65 Impala was built the same year I was born.....had the 283 V-8 2BBL with the 3 speed manual on the column..but no overdrive......He was always sorry that he sold that car......This video gave a me a glimpse of what that '65 would have been like if it had overdrive with the 4 bbl option........

[dwi189]

Does overdrive work in all three forward gears......I noticed when you dropped it down into 2nd before kicking into passing gear, you were doing about 50 mph and the engine didn't seem to be turning that fast in 2nd before you nailed the gas, so you were in 2nd gear overdrive at that point?

[4spdBernie]

@dwi189 Typically in 2nd -3rd only. Yes, I was in 2nd gear overdrive and kicked down which disengaged o'drive giving me 2nd grear straight (no o'drive). O'drive engages over about 28 mph, so if you wind 'er out in 1st you can then have 1st gear-o'drive - but best on the equipment not to do... Ck out my Pedal to the Metal '61 Galaxie vid for more o'drive action. Thank for the note.

[RalphReagan]

Had a standard on the column with a straight 6

[johnson11b]

Thank you for your recomendation on the sms fabrics. they are the only ones out there that reproduce the interiors for the 59 bel air. My car is identical to yours except that she is crown saphire blue and white two tone. Again sir, thank you and congrats on owning such a beutiful car!

[stevefromstllouis]

Bernie, I love that car. I have a 1960 chevrolet BelAir that is a 283 three speed, but unfotunately no power pack or overdrive.

[mercurybluz]

I myself was never a Chevy fan, however, I do have an appreciation for old classics such as this beautiful part of automotive history, I hope it keeps going for years and years.

[hainstein]

Really thank you for sharing. We had a chevy with the same color. This reminds me such good memories.

Mario

[4spdBernie]

@hainstein You are very welcome! Thank you for the kind note.

[irobot2009able]

only dorks put sock on with sandles lol

[4spdBernie]

@irobot2009able It's a Northwest USA thing. Confort with ultimate ventilation.

[irobot2009able]

nice car but i 55 and 57 are my years

[4spdBernie]

@irobot2009able Those are nice cars, too. As are '56 & /58 models...

[MrStonemike]

Raised in a car fanatic family, my Dad supplied me with a $135 Rambler(58), but when I made my first pipeline job at the age of 15, I promptly bought myself a '59 Impala, 283 power pack, black with white top! Still one of the most beautiful cars I ever had!!!!!

[Killinemdead1]

will you take 900 for it

[4spdBernie]

@Killinemdead1 Not for sale; but if it was and the present year was 1965 I just might call it sold.

[johnson11b]

Where did you get the interior work done? I have a 59' four door seadan exactly like yours but the interior door panels and seat covers are not reproduced for the bel air. only fo rthe impala which i refuse to put in a Bel Air.

[4spdBernie]

Hello and thank you!

The interior in our Bel Air is 100% original - not redone. As far as replacement seat covering goes, at this time your only option is to buy original material and have a local upholsterer assemble it for you. The door panels can be replicated by SMS in OR - but I hear sometimes can take a very long time. You may have success finding nice used panles, and if not in the correct color, spray it to match with vinyl paint. Have fun and I wish you good luck with your '59!

[johnson11b]

@4spdBernie Hey God bless you sir. I found that the interior is reproduced by SMS. Now my Bel Air can finailly have seat covers and door panels. Thank you again!!!

[4spdBernie]

That is GREAT news!

[johnson11b]

@4spdBernie I'll upload a video of my bel air when she gets finished.

[4spdBernie]

Very cool! I'll be watching...

[Chudyk1986]

Very tight running car. I'm familiar with the 3spd overdrive system, my dad had one in a 55 Chevy convertible when i was growing up and saw him hook up the kickdown electrical and mechanism for it. And the first car I drove on the road was a 58 Impala with 3spd manual and 283 power pack, was snappy for the small block and the big car.

[retroolschool]

Outstanding car, very lucky. ..Even as a four door the '59 Chevy in any model is oughta sight!

[4spdBernie]

Hello and thank you ! It is a neat old car. A very enjoyable More Door. Or is that MorDor...

[monarch1957]

One of my first cars I learned to drive was a three on the tree. You very rarely see them anymore.

[rcb4554]

that ain't stick shift cupcake

[1963impala2dr]

@rcb4554 your right cupcake.. thats a column shift.. not a stick shift. a three on the tree, not by the knee! haha..but a beautiful car!

[dogsaremykids]

@rcb4554 chill

[volvoguy99]

Bernie,

I'm confused about the overdrive system: Does it engage manually? I'm very familiar with the European Laycock de Normanville overdrives. Those are activated by a solenoid. The driver flips a lever or toggles a switch on the dash. And for the most part, it only works in fourth gear. How does yours work?

[4spdBernie]

Laycock uses a switch activated by gear position to complete the electrical circuit needed to engage the solenoid which in turn hydraulically engages the o'drive. Warner uses a governor that completes an electrical circuit at 28+/- mph to engage the solenoid which mechanically readies o'drive engagement - when the driver releases the throttle momentarily, the o'drive is then locked mechanically into operation. O/D is mechanically locked out via the cable you saw me use. Sorry need more room...

[1015W]

@4spdBernie

I am currently running an overdrive unit in my 1929 Ford Model A .

[meego1234]

Our family had an Inca Silver 1959 Bel Air 4-door in the 1960s. 283, 2 speed Powerglide with a Positraction rear. Long story but the car and especially the Posi rear saved my life when my parents made an emergency 9 mile trip to the hospital the morning after a large snow storm. I choked and stopped breathing as did my heart also but I came back. I spent my 2nd birthday in the hospital. THANK YOU CHEVROLET!

[4spdBernie]

Hello!

You CAN depend on an old Chevy or any old car for that matter - just takes a little understanding and a little maintenance. Thanks for the note and HAPPY NEW YEAR to you - thanks to Chevrolet!

[danielsamx]

i had a 59 el camino with a 283 three on the tree,but no overdrive,it sure was a fun car and wish id kept it,i eventually put a 4 speed in with modern power steering disc brakes and A/C,BOY WAS I A DOPE FOR SELLING IT!

[4spdBernie]

You should look for another one! Very cool cars. Thanks for the note!

[meego1234]

@4spdBernie

Actually we still have the car but sadly it's beyond saving at this point.

[starchief59]

Will you quit teasing me with these old stick shifts?

Overdrive on a 59 Chevy? Didn't you have that on a Ford? The 61? Is it an OD after the tranny?

[4spdBernie]

Overdrive was optional an a 3 speed stick shift. Yes, the 61 Galaxie also has overdrive. And yes, the overdrive unit is bolted to the rear of the trans. GM and Ford had it on the option list until the early '70s. It is still available today as a bolt on even on automatics - ck out gearvendorsdotcom

[starchief59]

@4spdBernie I've seen those gear vendors but I didn't know it was an option back then.

3K for gear vendors unit is way too much IMO. I'd rather throw in a Tremec 5 or 6 speed stick anyway

[monarch1957]

I had a friend that had a 59 Impala 4 door six automatic and power steering which was rare most I seen came withj a V8.

[RennyGd]

Wow, what a great power train combo. My dad had the same setup, but in a 58 Belair. You got the best of both worlds,better performance and gas mileage. Not many sold that way though. Too bad.

[4spdBernie]

I agree - great setup. Hope you got some time behind the wheel of that '58!

[514570HP]

Thanks for reply Bernie. Great cars !!!

I´ll be waiting more videos.

Regards.

[514570HP]

Thanks for reply Bernie. Great cars !!!

I´ll be waiting more videos.

Regards.

[94EglVisionTSI]

Thats a strange three on the tree.

[4spdBernie]

Hello and thanks for the note. Not so much strange, but different - especially when compared to how we stir the gears today - manual three on the tree was very common until the mid-60's.

[94EglVisionTSI]

@4spdBernie

I've never personally been in a car with a three on-the tree, But for some reason I thought they worked differently. Thanks for sharing.

[cadifan]

@4spdBernie Manual three on the tree was common here (NZ) until the mid-70's

[514570HP]

Great car !!! Great sound !!! Great video !!!

Great everything !!!

[4spdBernie]

Hello again and thank you! Pleased you are enjoying the old car

vids! Got some more on the way, so stay tuned...

[biglinc1]

niceeeeee!!  rarely see those old cars in that condition... but loose the socks with sandles and go with flip flops... ;) those look like old people in florida... :p

[4spdBernie]

Thank you and I appreciate the good advice - but flipflops get hung up on the flooor when speed shiftin'... I promise I will never wear black socks with my sandles.

[biglinc1]

@4spdBernie yeah ive had flip flops hang on the mats too so usualy i just drive barefoot... Anyways saw a 60 chevy on ebay the other day, wish i had the cash to buy it...

[Mullay2]

Way back in 1972 I bought a '59 Impala sedan. It was pink and white with what was left of a gray cloth interior. I put red Montgomery Ward in it, and red indoor outdoor carpeting on the floor,yup the old kind with the rubber backing. The car was equipped with a turbo-glide and a 4bl 348. Even after I overhauled the engine, that car still couldn't get out of its own way. Your car would have driven circles around that one!

[4spdBernie]

Thanks for the way-back trip, Mike! Montgomery Ward, Sears, FInger Hut, JCWhitney,

et - customizing on a budget was just a letter or phone call away. Next time, buy a stick shift '59 with that 348...

[mrgoodvibrations]

Dig them sandels man! Nice ride O/Drive is a nifty option, thanks for sharing!

[4spdBernie]

Sandals and socks - it's a Northwest thing. Plus didn't want my toenails to frighten any viewers...

[mrgoodvibrations]

@4spdBernie I do the socks n sandels thing too occasionally, lol.

[lalvarado63]

Yep! She's a sweetheart!

[4spdBernie]

She is, thank you!