The manual transmission has been disappearing from modern performance cars at an alarming pace. Dual clutch gearboxes shift faster, automatics deliver better efficiency numbers, and electric vehicles have no gears to row at all. Yet one stubborn icon continues to resist the tide.
According to a recent report by Road & Track, the stick shift in the Ford Mustang still has a powerful defender inside the company that builds it.
That defender is none other than Jim Farley, the CEO of Ford Motor Company.
Speaking to journalists during the Australian Grand Prix weekend, Farley delivered a memorable line that quickly made the rounds across enthusiast circles. When asked about the future of the manual Mustang, he made it clear that eliminating the stick shift is not something Ford plans to do quietly.
According to Road & Track, Farley said the manual would have to be wrenched “out of our cold, dead hands.”
A Lone Holdout in a Shifting Industry
It was a colorful statement, but the message behind it was serious. Ford understands that the Mustang is a cultural symbol that has represented affordable American performance for more than six decades. For many enthusiasts, that identity includes a clutch pedal and a gear lever.
The reality, however, is that manual transmissions are becoming rare across the industry. The list of performance cars that still offer a proper three pedal setup grows shorter each year. The Chevrolet Camaro recently reached the end of its production run.
The Chevrolet Corvette abandoned manual transmissions several generations ago. Even modern muscle machines from Stellantis have shifted their focus toward automatic gearboxes that deliver quicker acceleration times and broader appeal.
Against that backdrop, the Mustang has become something of a mechanical holdout.
The current generation, known internally as the S650, still offers a manual transmission in several V8 models. Buyers of the Ford Mustang GT can opt for a six-speed manual, while the track-oriented Ford Mustang Dark Horse also retains a traditional gear lever for drivers who prefer a hands-on experience.
Not Every Mustang Gets a Stick, But the V8 Still Does
Not every Mustang buyer gets that choice, though. Ford quietly dropped the manual option from four-cylinder EcoBoost models in the latest generation. Demand simply was not high enough to justify the engineering and certification costs. Most buyers in that segment were already choosing the automatic anyway.
Even so, Farley’s comments suggest that Ford sees the manual transmission as a core part of the Mustang’s personality rather than just a drivetrain option.
There is also a marketing angle to consider. In an automotive world that increasingly revolves around electrification and advanced driver assistance technology, the manual transmission represents something refreshingly old school. It appeals directly to enthusiasts who want a mechanical connection with their cars.
Shifting gears yourself changes the entire driving experience. The driver becomes part of the process rather than a passenger issuing throttle commands. For many Mustang fans, that engagement is the whole point.
Why the Manual Still Matters—For Now
Road & Track notes that manual take rates on V8 Mustangs remain strong enough to justify keeping the option alive. Enthusiasts continue to order them in meaningful numbers, particularly on performance focused trims where driver involvement matters most.
Ford also understands the symbolism. The Mustang has survived oil crises, regulatory shifts, and the collapse of its traditional rivals. Maintaining a manual transmission reinforces the idea that the car still prioritizes driving enjoyment.
Whether that promise holds in the long term is another question. The automotive industry is marching steadily toward electrification, and EVs do not have traditional gearboxes. For now, however, Farley’s statement leaves little doubt about Ford’s current stance.
As long as the Mustang roars with a V8 under the hood, the company appears determined to keep a clutch pedal alive for drivers who still enjoy the art of shifting for themselves.
Sources: Road & Track