Shift Knob Selection

[Stuart]

What to consider when selecting a shift knob?  I already know that I want something with the anatomic shape as I like the feel of it as I shift and I would like wood, but what do you consider when selecting a light or a dark wood?  The door cards and seats are Marine blue, the steering wheel is black leather.  Should the shift knob match the steering wheel? 

 

Here is a shot of my interior:

 

I'll do a Roundel instead of shift pattern. 

 

Here are some options I'm considering:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Simeon]

Chechen

[2002#3]

Old School matches everything...

[yeewiz]

for your interior, a nice wood shifter is like a nice bling touch.  I'm liking ebony because it's a more exotic looking wood

[jgerock]

Love the recovered Recaros in blue!

[Henning]

Well...

 

To be continued?

 

hen

 

 

[jrkoupe]

match your  belt to your shoes....

 

shift knobs?.....u do as u like......

 

 

I know that site where the wood options are offered...he made me a custom black corian knob,,.....awesome

[Simeon]

Pool ball

[Stuart]

 

 

[2002Scoob]

I'm a fan of the original Mushroom Head knob for 02's it just looks classic. That, or a standard machined sphere.

And as for your car/blue interior, wood is a classy choice, I'd lean towards a lighter wood than dark for some contrast.

 

Now... about your choice of anatomical knobs... I think they look weird on an 02. Also realize that the the shifter shaft isn't rotationally locked, and have a tendency to gradually turn.

 

If I had an asymmetrical knob I'd get even more annoyed by the shape being rotated than just the fact that my BMW topcap is never strait. (bothers me to no end, haha)

Edited May 15, 2017 by 2002Scoob

[Stuart]

2002Scoob -

 

On my old 4 speed trans my anatomic, non Roundel badged shifter, would rotate.  On my 5 speed it is in a fixed position.  I will consider a lighter wood as contrast is good.

 

Thanks

Stuart   

[2002Scoob]

2 hours ago, Stuart said:

On my 5 speed it is in a fixed position.

 

Sounds like a good reason for me to start looking for 5 speeds!

[Mike Self]

Some years ago I brought back some chunks of Koa wood from Hawaii (reddish, like mahogany) and turned a couple of shift knobs on a lathe (great fun, incidentally).  All sanded down and varnished, they look--and feel--great, matching the mahogany-rimmed wheels I have on my cars.  And koa is stronger than mahogany too

 

If you have access to a wood lathe, learning to use it is easy and the satisfaction of making your own shift knob is great!

 

mike