Sometimes won't engage in low gear

[East Bay Volksie]

While driving a 1969 autostick I find that the car sometimes will not go into low gear. The previous owner said that this sometimes happens, especially when it is cold out. "Cold" in Northern Calif., is I suppose below 50 degrees Fahrenheit.
After revving the car and having no effect, putting it back in neutral and trying again in low and then a third time in low, it sprang into action and we were on our way.
This did not seem to happen in 1st, although I have barely driven the car so it might.
Any suggestions?

[volkenstein]

EBV,
     How many miles on the car?

The easy things to check are your shifter/stop plate position (well, relatively) as well as checking your shift coupler bushing under the plate under the back seat.
Next step is making sure your electrics (and contact point in the gearstick aren't bung) are all OK.

I asked about the miles because my next suggestion after all that would be to check clutch freeplay (it may or may not need doing) and adjust to specs if it's got say 75000 +miles on it.


Volkenstein