Options 1956

[1956322]

Is it possible to have dual exhaust and power brakes but manual steering on a 56 special?

[SpecialEducation]

Absolutely. Ours was single exhaust from the factory and we converted to dual using the original manifolds, but I've seen nothing in the original materials that suggested there was any requirement to bundle any of these...

[JohnD1956]

It should be possible, but I think it was restricted when the car was a manual shift. 

[Beemon]

4 hours ago, JohnD1956 said:

It should be possible, but I think it was restricted when the car was a manual shift. 

 

Manual shift can be power steering but must have manual brakes to clear the clutch linkage.

[NTX5467]

Back then, you could equip a vehicle pretty much as you desired, especially on the lower trim levels where EVERYTHING was optional, unless there was some physical reason (as mentioned about clutch linkage issues).  Nothing was bundled as became popular in the middle 1960s.  Some people needed easier steering, but didn't like how touchy the power brakes could be, for example.  And, of course,, all of those single options made for a longer window sticker!

 

NTX5467

[Guest]

Was there also a physical interference between standard shift and clutch linkage(which was only available on Spec in '56), and drivers side dual exhaust manifold? 

[1956322]

I'm thinking about converting it back to manual steering.. But now it has dual exhaust and power brakes..I  would  have hated to pull everything only to discover that the manual box won't fit cause of either the exhaust or brakes.