I posted about this '69 442 find a few months ago when I was just signing in and getting my feet wet. I'm just now getting around to spiffing up the mechanical stuff - sway bars, new springs, etc. Was putting headers on it, and noted that it appears to have been originally a 4 speed. It's a 3 speed now, with a '72 455 engine. I can't see why someone would've made that switch, and understand that some of these had 3 speeds, which I assumed was the reason this one has the 'toploader'. . Did the factory make mods for the 3 speed on cars (cut the floor for shifter, etc) that would've been destined to get the 4 speed?

What a great site this is!! So much expertise and helpful advice to be found....Thank you.

https://classicoldsmobile.com/forums...crisis-131797/

 

Not sure about 69 but the 66/67 cars had a different floor piercing for the 3 speed.

 

I have the three speed toploader in my 69 442,no console. That was standard on the 442 and the 4 speeds were options.
The console is the same for for all manual transmissions, four speed pattern plate is placed over the three speed
as far as i know. Keep the bench seat, that way the mrs. gets to sit next to you.