[quote AFS2421Y7C06SO3C]My Falcon ute has a 3 speed manual column shift. Despite the heavy clutch and non-assisted steering, the lazy, torquey six and paucity of gear changes make for a very relaxed drive. Of course it won't get you anywhere in a hurry.[/quote] Same here with my Freeway. I found out recently in peak-hour Sydney traffic, that it will dawdle along at less than walking speeds in second making it an almost automatic. My first encounter with five gears was in the Morris 1500 and later my Austin Maxi 1750. Fifth gear was more of an overdrive as it would accelerate much quicker in fourth. For its time it was superb for motorway driving and empty highways like I found out on the way to Broken Hill.