Chevrolet Corvette Stingray C7 Forum - View Single Post

fastball · 06-11-2009, 09:17 PM

It's a habit, and it comes from the fact that up untill very recently most car companies made their automatics with only 4 speeds. And, for the longest time, the F-bodies and the Corvette were the only cars in the world with a 6 speed manual (the 1989 Corvette ZR-1 debuted the first 6 speed manual, and then the 1993 Camaro and Firebird Formula/TA with the 350 got it).

Untill then, all manuals were either 4 or 5 speed and autos were either 3 or 4 speed.

So, when talking about a Camaro, TA, or Corvette, the question beginning in the early 1990's was "did you get the automatic or 6 speed?" instead of auto or manual.

Obviously, since both transmissions on the new Camaro are 6 speeds, to those who haven't been into the lingo very long its confusing. To us, when we say "6 speed" we mean manual.

06-11-2009, 09:17 PM	#6
fastball Banned Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS 6MT Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Cleveland, Ohio Posts: 4,361	It's a habit, and it comes from the fact that up untill very recently most car companies made their automatics with only 4 speeds. And, for the longest time, the F-bodies and the Corvette were the only cars in the world with a 6 speed manual (the 1989 Corvette ZR-1 debuted the first 6 speed manual, and then the 1993 Camaro and Firebird Formula/TA with the 350 got it). Untill then, all manuals were either 4 or 5 speed and autos were either 3 or 4 speed. So, when talking about a Camaro, TA, or Corvette, the question beginning in the early 1990's was "did you get the automatic or 6 speed?" instead of auto or manual. Obviously, since both transmissions on the new Camaro are 6 speeds, to those who haven't been into the lingo very long its confusing. To us, when we say "6 speed" we mean manual.