Unusual Gearshift Knobs

[Bob Bidonde]

I just bought an antique glass door knob and I am using it as a gearshift knob. I would post a picture, but it is too hard to do on this site.

Lets see your unusual gearshift knobs.

[2manycars]

When I was in high school I made a shift knob from a briggs and stratton piston. I drilled a hole in the wrist pin and tapped it, and then drilled a small hole through the piston and into the wrist pin from below and fitted a screw to stop it from flopping. I did not have a drill press, so I walked 10 miles to a farm I worked on and used their drill press, then walked back. I was more ambitious 50 years ago.

[Ray in La Mesa]

Some of you may have seen the sun-purple door knobs on my '28 roadster pickup doors. Welded the square shafts to rebar inside levers.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Modifying shift levers & cobbling up strange knobs was almost an ART, when I was in High School!!
Bill W.

[CarlG]

I like the AA shift knob. My first vehicle was an AA, and I just liked way it the felt. Have used that same type knob ever since then.

[Gold Digger]

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I done some of that custom knob stuff back in high school, but the most important modification was heating the gear shift leaver to where I could feel the girls legs.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Gold Digger

I done some of that custom knob stuff back in high school, but the most important modification was heating the gear shift leaver to where I could feel the girls legs.

For long term "sparking"--On my '32, I'd just pop out the shifter & I always kept my steering wheel nut just finger tight!
Bill W.

[Y-Blockhead]

I too have a glass door knob for my shift know. I got the knob from my Grandmother when I was 16 years old, ~49 years ago... And yes it is Manganese/Silica Glass so it turned that lovely shade of purple.

I'll post a picture when I get a chance.

[1931 flamingo]

I also at one time had a small piston type knob and the proverbial beer handle (Schlitz).
paul in CT

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

I too have a glass door knob for my shift know. I got the know from my Grandmother when I was 16 years old, ~49 years ago... And yes it is Manganese/Silica Glass so it turned that lovely shade of purple.

I'll post a picture when I get a chance.

IF, I remember correctly?? I "think" it was Manganese that KEPT it from turning PURPLE. When Manganese was used for WWII efforts, lots of common bottles turned PURPLE.
For years, I dug & collected antique bottles--Gold added made RED glass, Cobalt made BLUE, & I forgot what made GREEN??
Bill W.

[Charles Coe]

Manganese was used as a clarifying agent in early glass. However exposure to sunlight over a long period turns the glass purple. Some antique dealers purposefully expose clear glass to sunlight or ultraviolet lamps because the purple signifies that it's old and sells well.

[glenn in camino]

I just bought, on Ebay, a turned walnut knob that almost matches my wood grained dash. Not original, but cool.

[Tom Wesenberg]

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

I too have a glass door knob for my shift know. I got the know from my Grandmother when I was 16 years old, ~49 years ago... And yes it is Manganese/Silica Glass so it turned that lovely shade of purple.

I'll post a picture when I get a chance.

That's a nice looking purple knob. I bought a purple bottle a year ago, and when I got it home I saw where a small piece of the purple had peeled off. It sure fooled me.

[DougVieyra]

Like Carl G., I too have always enjoyed the look and feel of the AA/BB/CC/ fat oval gear shift knob. I have always used the brown colored ones, over the black ones. The brown color complimented both my dash and my upholstery.

Under my back seat cushion, I have both the original Ford-made factory spherical knob and a later swirled (blue and cream) marble knob from the 1930's. But I like the brown oval truck knob the best - for both looks and especially, feel.

- Doug Vieyra, Eureka, CAlif

[Dave Mc]

After my Grandad passed my Grannie asked me to cleanout the Shed and I found the shift knob I remembered him having on his 37 Chevy coupe. I think of him every time I drive my 29 Business Coupe

[Bob Bidonde]

Here is the gearshift knob in my 190A

Note the plastic tubing on the gearshift lever. The plastic prevents the lever from rusting because I rest my leg on it occasionally. Potent body fluids!

[Tinker]

Here's a few I've acquired over the years. Some are newer, some are hand made, and some old. Nothing super special though.

I actually only have ford originals on the vehicles, except for the old suicide knob that an uncle gave me off his 62 vw bus when he sold it. The mummy is now used as a pull to turn on the toolbox light. Aviator is pewter.

[BILL WILLIAMSON]

"ALMOST" anything that will fit in your HAND, can be made into a shift knob-----The KEY wurd is, "ALMOST"----Saw one made from a SADDLE HORN!
Bill W.

[George Miller]

Here are a couple I made

[Ron in Quincy]

I have a original marble knob that was made in 28 or 29; it is exactly the same size and shape of the 28 mushroom gear shift knob.

Ron