Hi- I hope this is the right forum. I'm considering the purchase of what appears to be a very sweet 67 GS400 Convertible but it's a long-distance sort of negotiation and so far the seller hasn't returned my call, so I'm turning to the experts here to see if I can find out about the transmission. The listing says 4-speed and I did find one website that says that the basic factory tranny was a 3-speed. Is this true? I think the 4-speed was offered as an option at time of original purchase, is this correct? What I'd like to know is how to verify that the tranny in the car is original to the first owner's purchase, standard or optional or whatever, and is there a code on the data plate that refers to the tranny originally installed? Also, the listing I'm looking at has a 12-digit number/letter combo listed for the VIN. Shouldn't it be 17 digits? Thanks in advance for your help. Lee
Lee, I am no expert here but yes I did think that the 3 speed was the standard transmission. I assume a 4 speed was an option like in other models.
The base 3 speed floor shift trans that year was a Ford. The 4 speed generally have a partial VIN tied to the car. If it is a Muncie look on the passenger side near where the tail shaft mates to the main body. They are laid out vertically. If it was a Borg Warner that year I do no know the ID info.
The 17 digit vin wasn't used until 1981. Depending on where the car was built, there might be a code on the cowl data plate. 2B = 3 speed manual 2L= 4 speed manual 2Z= 3 speed automatic If the original warranty booklet with protecto-plate is still with the car, there would be a code showing what transmission the car was built with.
Words of Wisdom - do NOT buy a car sight unseen .. either invest in going there to look at it, hire a pro to look it over, or start a post asking " Are there any board members close to _____ willing to check out a car for me ?" and offer a little reimbersement for their time / gas money