3-on-the-tree

3-on-the-tree

The gear shift on older makes of U.S. automobiles (especially those made between 1939 and 1970), which was located on the steering column and had three speeds. Primarily heard in US. My grandad still has his old 3-on-the-tree truck sitting in the shed.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms.
See also:
  • purple state
  • chip
  • chips
  • Two Bob
  • (as) dead as mutton
  • dead as mutton
  • mutton
  • turn on a sixpence
  • one of the boys
  • one of the lads