The answer is very simple once you get use to both. A manual is best. It is best for all round driving from better fuel economy on that trip to the grocery store to overall car control when you are driving for pure speed. Remeber you can't control an automatic's shift points too well and when you have to you can push that manual past the redline on occasion when you need to and you can use engine braking with a manual if you get yourself in trouble and need to shed speed quickly.
So I say I think as an all around car a manual is best but an automatic with a nice big engine like an old 383 is still damn fast off the line but if a curve comes up the manual can get it's speed down quick without riding the brakes with all your weight like I used to have to due with my old 383 fury.