3-On-The-Tree

What does the idiom “3-On-The-Tree” mean?

Definition:

On an automobile (especially those produced from 1939 through the mid-1970s), a three-speed manual transmission whose gearshift lever ismounted on the steering column

For example:

“Three-on-the-tree was a common way of mounting the gearshift lever on old pickup trucks. “

Notes:

Rare nowadays, largely because few three-speed transmissions are being produced.

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