I learned on a 1959 Chevy Impala convertible [bat-wing rear tail fins and cream color
with black top and w/ bronze vinyl interior- way too hot after sitting in the sun] and
a 1963 Dodge 440 4door sedan, both automatics. There are a lot of nice old back
roads back home that were great for practice so we took an after supper drive most
nights when it was possible.
I learned how to drive a standard shift on my boss's 1967 Plymouth station wagon
[3 speed on the column] that was used for deliveries at the drug store where I worked
part-time while going to high school and the first couple years of college. I knew the
"theory" of driving a standard shift transmission - clutch in - shift pattern - "friction
point" letting the clutch out - and all, but I never had an opportunity to actually drive
one. So, early one evening at work, I had to take the Plymouth and go pick up my boss
at his house across town, after his supper hour and bring him back to the store. It was
an adventure! I was glad i was by myself heading out to get him as it wasn't exactly
smooth going initially. And of course, my boss lived across town on the other side of
the small city we lived in [Olean, NY] and I hit every dang red-light between the store and
there and even had to stop for a train crossing the main drag. After a small series of stalls,
peeling outs, screeching take offs, bucking take offs and such I finally had achieved the
intuitive sense of just when the friction point for that dang Plymouth Wagon kicked in,
and by the time I got to the boss's house, I was driving it like I knew what i was doing.
He wasn't any the wiser - of course it helped that he wasn't the world's greatest driver either -
so he didn't have much of a basis of comparison.
I now prefer automatics, but it is definitely a plus to know how to and be able to drive a standard
shift vehicle. You never know what you'll run in to out there on the roads.
Cheers,
Norm/mezmo