why was there a 3 speed standard transmission option in the 1969 oldsmobile 442?

The people that made that decision are all dead and gone. 3 speed manuals were the cheapest transmission available at the time so it was the "economy" choice.

no they wern't cheap with a Hurst shift and my friend had that car with a 3 speed and special posi rear and it beat out a 4 speed same car same engine.

Thanks for your comments on the Olds three speed which was correct. The 3 speed Olds standard shift on the floor was the most expensive transmission. There weren't many made, they all came in a 4.4.2. with a hurst shifter that had a special posi rear. You were right, there were no 4 speeds that could beat it thru the gears. I had a canary yellow one with black stripes across the rear and I never lost to anyone with a 4 speed manual or automatic. I still have it today with a turbo auto trans, 52,000 miles , red in color.

I had the same transmission in a 1969 Pontiac GTO. Was the Ford based Dearborn transmission used by GM. Was a toploader 3 speed similar to the Ford top loader four speed. Better than any other manual transmission I ever had from GM.

Got complete dearborn 3 speed w/hurst shifter and 442 logo original shifter boot backup switch and drive shaft yoke near mint. Anyone interested

I had a 1969 442 with the 3-speed. I was incredibly fast. I could pull the front wheels off the ground between 1st and 2nd and once had it up to 140MPH. In 1969 the insurance companies added a high premium if the car had a 4-speed which is why I opted for the 3-speed.

The 1969 442 had the Dearborn(Ford) heavy duty 3 speed as standard equipment,the Muncie 4 speeds were options.My understanding is that Olds did not want to invest in developing a heavy duty three speed since they figured most would want the optional Muncie. Seams they were correct in buying the Ford Toploaders and not investing $$.

hello how do i tell if my 1968 hoiday coupe has a factory 3-speed

The Ford "Dearborn" top loader 3 speed manual trans, standard in GTO, 442, and Buick Gran Sport 1965-1969 was probably the toughest transmission ever put in a passenger car in the US. I had one in a 1969 GTO, much better than my 4-speed '69 GTO and 4 speed 1968 Olds 442.

I am looking for a yoke for a Dearborn 3 speed transmission for my 69 Gto convertible. I need the yoke for the front of the drive shaft. I had a 3 speed Dearborn in a 69 Gto convertible in high school that my dad bought brand new. I put a Muncie 4 speed in it and slowed it down.