ABC123 wrote:

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The shifter says it all,

Count the hash marks

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 Yeah, I get that. I've never seen a big block car with a powerglide. So, is it original or what? 

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That's from my neck of the woods. I know that area very well.

One in the registry but I could not get the page to work.

(not the correct link)

 

-- Edited by ABC123 on Saturday 18th of April 2020 08:26:06 PM

I learned something today, thanks to you guys!

Like I said earlier, I've never seen, or even heard of a big block car with anything but a TH400 or a 4 speed. Since we're here, why would anybody order a car like that?

cranks38 wrote:

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I learned something today, thanks to you guys!

Like I said earlier, I've never seen, or even heard of a big block car with anything but a TH400 or a 4 speed. Since we're here, why would anybody order a car like that?

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 Well PGs have been the transmission of choice for decades in drag racing and my buddy ran a Junior Hanley built stock car with PG in CASCAR.

I can attest that my 66 Grande with a 396 came with a Powerglide.  Took it out for a th700r4 but still have it.

I think they must have been beefed up a bit from the small block version.

They would have worked quite well with the big block's nice smooth power curve.

I have one in the 66 Beaumont 283 and it is just great.

73SC wrote:

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 Well PGs have been the transmission of choice for decades in drag racing and my buddy ran a Junior Hanley built stock car with PG in CASCAR.

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 Right. I have a background in drag racing and purpose-built powerglides can be found behind almost anything.

CdnGMfan wrote:

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1968 was the last year for the 396 Powerglide. They had been available over the years behind anything from the Vega 2300 to a 400-horsepower 427 Corvette, and also were available up to 3/4 ton pickups.

Here's a little tidbit: the Turbo-Hydramatic 400 consumed 44 horsepower while the Powerglide only consumed 18. The Powerglides were light, in fact they shaved 4 pounds off the car weight over the standard 3-speed manual. If you've got a good torque to weight ratio then it isn't that noticeable, and if that 396 is called upon to wind out because the passing gear is 1st gear, well that is o.k. as well because they will rev & make power as required. They don't affect performance as much as they should. I once read that extra speeds in a transmission were in compensation for an engine that lacked the flexibility of a wide operating range. That is an archaic way of looking at it but there is a degree of truth in it. I still say they were a bad idea in a 3/4 ton truck. Apparently Chevrolet thought so too because they started offering the TH400 behind all engines in the pickups in 1967-68, even the 250 six!

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 Some good points and facts. I can appreciate the 396 wouldn't suffer with a powerglide, just seems like an odd combination. On the other hand, a three speed auto would indeed help an underpowered car.  

Assuming it's solid, it looks like the kind of car you could buy and drive to whenever you live in Canada in total comfort. With the current price of gas it wouldn't cost that much either.  Just how to actually do that these days is the question.

Its funny that you couldn't get the four speed with the six. It seems to me if you are a bit short of horsepower you'd want the option of more gears.

Not that any body would have bought it, really.

I can't see all the photos, does this car have A/C ?