Mechanical shift linkage of any kind on automatic transmissions is going the way of the Dodo bird. Our new Lincoln has push buttons laid out like piano keys.

 

Especially because they are electronically controlled now.

 

Learned to drive in Mom’s 4-on-the-floor Corvair. Great car, replaced by a 3-on-the-floor Vega wagon, not so much. Bought brand new an E150 shorty with 351 and a 5-speed manual on the floor. Never saw another E-series with that transmission. When I met my wife she had a little pickup with a manual. She replaced it with a pickup with a manual. Went about 20 years without a manual. Love having one again in my HHR SS.

 

I had a 64 Valiant with the Super 225 Slant 6 and push button trans, buttons were vertical on the dash...weird.

 

The Edsel had the transmission selector buttons in the middle of the steering wheel







In 2018 GMC brought push buttons back in the Terrain

 

Funny thing was the Valiant was not electrical switches, they were mechanical cable driven . I think the Edsel was vacuum

 

Oh, the Edsel sucked alright! I’ve had 2 of them over the years, not fun cars to work on! I restored the first one, sold it to the first guy who ooh’d and ahh’d over it and made me an offer, in cash. I broke even!
I traded the second one for a 1951 GMC 5 window Deluxe pickup truck , then sold the truck, that afternoon.