Automatic versus Manual: Beating the Debate Dead Horse Again and Again (and Again)

Corvette owners with a manual transmission often insist that they are mandatory, but technology disagrees.

When the Chevrolet Corvette was introduced back in 1953, a two-speed PowerGlide automatic transmission was standard and there was no manual transmission available. It wasn’t until 1955 that the legendary Corvette would be available with a manual transmission. The manual transmission quickly became the preferred gearbox for those who wanted the most enjoyable driving experience. Also, the manual transmission offered better performance for most models from the first seven generations of the Chevy sports car.

As we all know, the C8 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray is not offered with a manual transmission. The C8 comes standard with a quick-shifting 8-speed dual-clutch transmission that allows the new Stingray to dash from a stop to 60 in less than three seconds. This transmission offers better performance than a well-driven manual while requiring far less skill. However, many Corvette diehards insist that a proper sports car should have a manual transmission, leading to ongoing animosity between some manual and automatic drivers.