Nothing wrong with an automatic. The most fun 65 Cuda I ever had was one I hacked together out of parts. I bought a body for $25, and installed a 340/727 out of a 73 Dart Sport. I used the bucket seats and console too. I had about $150 in it by the time I got a tag on it, and then drove the snot out of it for a few years before I sold it and the 4 spd car in a package deal. Same dude still owns both cars and hasn't done a thing with them! I sold them in the mid 80's! Where in NC are you located? I'm in the mountains, near Asheville.