A Toploader transmission is a manually actuated four speed gearbox introduced in 1964 by Ford Motor Company to replace the Borg Warner T-10 gearbox. They were used in most Ford and Mercury models as well as some foreign models from 1964 until 1973. Officially designated the "Ford Design 4 Speed Manual Transmission", the Toploader gets it's name from the fact that the access plate to the inner workings is located on the top ot the main case as opposed to the side, as with most gearboxes such as the Ford Dagenham or GMs Saginaw or Muncie. Renowned for its high-performance indestructibility, Toploaders are found in such sought after "A-list" cars as the Ford Mustang, Talladega and AC Cobra as well as the Ford Fairlane, Ford Falcon, Ford Galaxie, Ford Ranchero, Ford Torino and the Mercury Comet, Caliente and Cyclone and the Mercury Marauder.
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