Believe it or not, column-mounted transmission shifters were once considered a modern innovation. Chrysler pioneered the column shifter, called the “remote control” shifter, when it was introduced on the 1939 Plymouth, but back then automatic transmissions were still uncommon. No, this column shifter controlled a three-speed manual transmission and it quickly earned the nickname, “three-on-the-tree.”

The three-on-the-tree coincided with bigger, wider cabins allowing those old couch-like bench seats to accommodate three-across seating with relative comfort – or for that special passenger to slide over closer to the driver, wink, wink.

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