Manual chokes were used on Chevy pickups with manual transmissions at least as recent as 1970 (perhaps a few years later). Medium duties still had them in 1975. Although a properly adjusted automatic works pretty well, I prefer a manual choke. It's more dependable and, once you get used to your engine's personality, will get you going faster in cold weather. Every engine seems to be unique; I have owned dozens of vehicles with manual chokes and no two started exactly the same. The same procedure that would lean-stall one engine would flood out the next. Even if you hate modern complications, you gotta' appreciate EFI for easy starting!
