The brand new full-size 1971 GM cars offered a 3-speed manual with their base drivetrain in each series upon introduction in the fall of 1970.

That means for Chevrolet they used a Saginaw behind the rare sixes and base V8 only (350 in Biscayne Bel Air / Impala; 400 in Caprice). A 400 Caprice using a Saginaw probably didn't get built even though it existed in theory.

Pontiacs, especially USA Pontiacs were neat in that they offered progressively larger engines as base as you ascended the range. Pontiac combined h.d. 3-speeds with 400 V8s only as base within a series.

Oldsmobile I think still used Saginaws for 1971 as base but dropped the Saginaw in favor of the "Muncie" exclusively for '72.

Buick used the Saginaw behind the 350s with column-shifters. Floor shifted 3-speeds were "Muncies" but not in any full-size car.


In March 1971 there were numerous running changes on the full-size model base equipment:

-Chevrolet made the Turbohydramatic standard on all V8s. Powerglide & 3-speed manuals were eliminated, except behind the sixes.

-Pontiac dropped the manual offering at that time (except L6 Laurentians). So did Oldsmobile & Buick.

-Power steering was made standard on all full-size models at that time.


FWIW, Chevrolet also dropped the 4-speed manual option from Monte Carlos & made power steering standard.

Knowing that the 3-in-the-tree was limited by a small production window and buyer avoidance, I always kept my eyes & ears open for such stuff. That being said, since the fall of 1970 until now, that is the first 1971 Buick full-size I have ever actually heard of with a 3-in-the-tree.

People who have been on this site a while probably remember a white 1971 Laurentian coupe with a 250 3-speed manual that was for sale a few years back. That is the only one I have ever actually heard of.

If dad were shopping for a new full-size GM car in '71 he probably would've ordered a 3-in-the-tree. He did for 1970! I also remember him announcing that the 3-speeds were limited to the sixes when the 1973s were introduced (I've seen exactly ONE).

CdnGMfan wrote:

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If dad were shopping for a new full-size GM car in '71 he probably would've ordered a 3-in-the-tree. He did for 1970! I also remember him announcing that the 3-speeds were limited to the sixes when the 1973s were introduced (I've seen exactly ONE).

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 I term standard transmission comes about because 3 on the tree was the standard transmission, no need to order it that's how the car came.

cdnpont wrote:

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Car is in the Buffalo area. Fellow owns a oil spray company in East Tonawanda, so I'm sure it'll be preserved.

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 It's his car.  He can do what he wants with it.  Most young people wouldn't care anyhow, just us older guys, so once we're gone, our cars probably are as well.  May as well get some use out of it.

On another note, in the wheel versions pic, it shows double white walls.  I can't recall how long they lasted but it must have been only a couple of years.  Anybody have that info?  Also wondering if any company reproduces double white walls these days, because you never see them at car shows, etc.

Cool!  I should have known that they would have them.

So just 3 model years.  I wonder why the double stripe didnt catch on.