An automatic uses quite a bit of horsepower in its operation. If you have a powerful engint this becomes insignificant, with a small engine like a 240 it is very significant and cuts the power available to accerate the vehicle to a noticable degree.

There are many different situations you could use to test quickness including acceleration and decelleration as you would do in an autocross, too. That type of situation I would expect the stick to do better than the automatic.

But in the end the real reason to convert these old cars to stick is for economy of operation.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.