1964 Chrysler Newport questions

[BamaFury]

Hello. I recently purchased a 1963 Chrysler Newport with a 361 and three speed manual. In two days it has gone from stuck to driving around my property.
Ironically, I found another Chrysler Newport. This one is a 1964 with a manual as well. I know my ‘63 Newport has the HD 3 speed. But in 1964, I thought Chrysler went to the 833a four speed. I know that the 300 had it. Is it possible that this ‘64 Chrysler Newport could have a four speed? Thx!

 

[CBODY67]

It might be possible, but most probably not in that car.

The Newport was the entry level Chrysler, where people could get a Chrysler for not much money. Even a base rubber floor mat? So the dealer could advertise a Newport for a very low price. "Motor Trend" did some road tests of base cars with manual transmissions in about 1964. The Newport they got was a 361 2bbl 3-spd manual transmission (factory floor shift, no console).

300s, by comparison, were the "Performance Chrysler", so with the bigger engine and usually buckets and console, the 4-spd manual would fit that customer demographic. Still, I strongly suspect the bulk of them came with TorqueFlites under the console.

In those years, the Chrysler TorqueFlite was known for its quick and firm shifting. Rivalling the popular 4-speed cars of the day, quite successfully! Until the GM THM400 (mid-year 1965) and the Ford C6 (1966 model year) happened, the TF had no rival in automatic transmission drag racing.

I was thinking the Chrysler 833 happened mid-yeare 1965? Prior to that it was only 3-spds that were around . . . except for some very low production French-sourced 4-speeds in the 300 Letter Cars.

Just some thoughts,
CBODY67

 

[Trophy421ho]

Hello, let me add a bit to this. The A833 4 speed was available in 1964 on all models of Chryslers so long as they had either of the 4 barrel motors (361 and 413). If a console was ordered (standard in a letter car) then the shifter would come up next to it, not through it. I believe any model can have a console as the brochure makes no mention of particular models it can or cannot be in (off topic, I know). 4 speed was a $226.90 option in my 300 Sport, but I have no idea if that’s model specific or the same cost across the board.
I’m not sure if you can put a 4 speed in in place of the 3 speed as I have heard the shifter locations are in different spots so they would require a unique floor hump for each, but that’s not factual, just something to investigate.
Lastly, does either of your cars have this firewall to fender-well brace? I believe they are 4 speed unique but am trying to verify that. Pictures will come in batches, sorry and thank you.

 

[Trophy421ho]

Hopefully this works. Sorry for the delay.