My first new car was a 1972 Chevy Nova with a 350 and 3-speed on the floor. It had those huge drops I am talking about, so yes I know. I believe First gear was something like 3.12:1. Worked well with the 3.08 rear gear for starting on hills.

Driveable, but I always wished for a four speed.

My current ride is my '64Dog which has a NP420 transmission and Third gear is something like 1.7:1. Going up a long hill and want to shift down? Now the engine is screaming. It'd be so much nicer with a 1.4 Third.

R.