trivia question...
 

What was the last year and make of car...that the 'three-on-the-tree' was offered for sale on an American car.

I took 'drivers training' in a car with a 'three on the tree'
I thought that car was about the last of them...not!
I won't give my age..that would be a clue.

How about "four on the tree?"

https://bangshift.com/bangshift1320/the-parting-shift-1961-ford-with-a-four-speed-on-the-column-most-controversial-linkage-ever/
<iframe width="720" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/BjkRB1Ibjj0" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Or even better, five on the tree

https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a1818881/pinnacle-manual-gearshifts-five-tree-column-shifter/

<iframe width="720" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6ow1g-uclgY" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe>

I'm going to guess early to mid 70s, maybe as late as 77-78.

Pulled that completely out of thin air.

I learned to drive that on my dads ford ecoline van, I think it was an 82.

Nope...that was my guess also.
And your not within 5...:)

Nope...not within... :)

It was a big selling car also
one of the big three

closest so far....but it was a big-selling car.

answer depends on whether a pickup is a car

No...a pick-up is not a car...

GM product

sporty..for it's time.

Ok...had a very nice prize available...oh well.

The answer is 1987 Chevy Nova

huh - I'd never have guessed that

Thx for a fun contest

I owned an 82 dodge tradesman van with 3 on the tree. Slant 6 that van was great unless it was freighted with all the tools.

I owned an 84 Nova....straight six engine with a 3 speed auto on a center console
Gutless car...but very reliable.

I think the '3 on the tree' was way more popular on Vans. Prob because of the layout.

Just to show that I didn't pull that out of my azz.....https://www.yahoo.com/autos/last-3-tree-column-shift-160000458.html

Um, no.
The 85-88 Nova was a NUMMI car, front drive, 5 speed. Definitely not on the column.
Maybe the last Nova before the Citation replaced it, but not the Japanese designed one.
The was no Nova from 80-84, so I don't know how you owned a 84.

Not everything on the internet is true.

Edit: Here's the real article, not the Yahoo bastardized version.
https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a34566051/what-was-the-last-3-on-the-tree-column-shift-manual-car-americans-could-buy/

'87 for a truck, full size Chevy/GMC
https://www.autoweek.com/car-life/classic-cars/a1882751/new-detroit-trucks-3-tree-column-shift-manuals-1986-yes/

When I was first starting to drive, my Dad had a late 70s/early 80s Chevy 1/2 ton pickup with a 3-on-the-tree, and an inline 6 motor.