Automatics are a must for serious drag racing if you want to win races. But, that includes trans-brakes and stall converters. The Nova I mentioned earlier launched at 5200 rpm where peak torque was being developed. It had a built two speed power glide, which is the typical choice for transmission on the drag strip as you only have one shift. The power glide also has less torque robbing components as the three or four speeds do. But that’s the drag strip, for road racing and just general screwing around and having fun, a car without a manual and clutch just isn’t as much fun and you won’t find them on many race winning road race cars.

Tom – The V60R my X had was equipped with the automatic. It’s just has the typical “manual” mode that pretty much all cars have nowadays. It’s not actually manual by any stretch of the imagination, but simply allows you to bounce up and down at will by tapping the lever back and forth. It’s better than nothing, but a far cry from the real thing.