Was reading "Riding the Roller Coaster: A History of the Chrysler Corporation" and it said that Chrysler's computerized ordering system was so bad, in 1969, two hundred Chrysler C-bodies were built with manual transmissions and no A/C.

Anybody come across such a beast?

You could get a 3 on the tree in 1969, was a regular production option with the 383-2 engine. No 4 speeds in 1969 on any C-Body.

Probably way more than 200. I've run across many 3-speed '69 Fury I sedans in my travels.

Heck, up in Canada, you could get the slant six in any number of C-bodies from '65 thru '69 and base transmission was three on the column.

Pretty sure the OP means 69 Chrysler models, not all 69 DCP C bodies.

I drove a 69 Polara 500 convertible with a 383 2-bbl and 3 on da tree, but I have never seen a Chrysler...

The John delorean book detailed how messed up Chevrolet was on their computer switch over around the same time. It was atrocious. They even built a BUNCH of cars that the factories didn’t know went out the door, to which the dealers simply sold at 100% profit. So I’m sure some weird things went out, but I’m not sure it would be things you couldn’t normally get if you really wanted or knew somebody in charge.

I don't think those were "accidents", I think they were ordered that way. I had a friend with a 1970 Newport four door that had a 383, three on the tree. He said it was an ex New York county car (he was from New Jersey). Blew the motor up and we swapped in another 383 with an automatic. I still have the bell housing from that car, the aluminum 513 bell.

A friend has a 69 Newport, 383, 2bbl, with 3 on tree . . . no option car . . . seeing how it's out in bald ass prairie area, figure musta been a farmer that ordered car . . . cheapest large Chrysler at time I would think . . .

Closest I've seen was a 67 Chrysler Newport, 2 door hardtop, 383-2V, 3 spd manual ("3 on the Tree")
I inspected for a Moparts member around 20 years ago. It was for sale near me, and the member was far away, so asked me to check it out.
Bright red, original owner (the guy even had the original paperwork, including the cancelled check that he wrote for the down payment, as well as window sticker, delivery docs, etc.)
The owner was very nice, showed me around the car, and told me this story: Said it was when he was first married, and he and his wife were looking for a new car for their family. He was going to get a Plymouth 4dr with A/C and Automatic, but the salesman knew the guy's father...and the father always bought Chrysler brand cars.
So, he talked him into a base model 2dr Chrysler just so that he would carry on the tradition of "Chrysler" brand cars from that dealer, and he went along. No A/C, 3 spd manual, 383-2V, and very bare bones. Bright red, 2 door, Newport. Still was in very nice condition in 2002 when I went to look at it. They had used it as the family car for many, many years and went camping, road tripping, and hauling kids for most of that time. They eventually bought a 1994 Chrysler Concorde to replace it as the "daily driver" but kept the Newport as they had owned it for so long. When it came time, they sold it online and a Moparts member bought it (someone that appreciated the rarity of the Chrysler with 3 spd manual in 1967).

JS

Seen a few more lately...

Decades ago I came across a black full size Chrysler in a field which had three on the tree, red interior I think. Never opened the hood so no opinion on the a/c there.

My dad sold Dodges for decades. He told me that if you came in the dealer and bought a no option Dodge, regardless of the model, you got a slanty and 3 on the tree. They ordered a 67 Polara for a elderly guy with a slant and stick. It was around for years, if it'd came available I think I would've bought it. Just vanished like many do.