Updated Shifter Knob

[prefervintage]

Hi all...in addition to adding a 280SL logo to my glove box, the original SL shifter knob on these cars always looked like an afterthought to me, a little ball on a spindly shaft...so after looking around, I bought a late model Mercedes leather wrapped shift knob and put it on...the shaft diameter was different, so I had to use a few concentric layers of heat shrink tube on the shift rod so that the knob could be put on...it's designed for an interference fit...again, not original, but I like it, and it's easier to manual shift through the gears...thoughts??

[DaveB]

The shaft is still too spindly..
 

[MikeSimon]

The P.O. of my car had installed a 350SL R107 steering wheel and shift knob. I replaced the steering wheel, but the shift knob is still in. It does not have a Mercedes star and fits in place of the round ball on the shaft.

[Benz Dr.]

The shaft is still too spindly..
 

That may be the case but it's made from some sort of high quality steel. Very tough stuff that won't bend or break.

[JN]

not a fan... looks out of place. to be honest

[doitwright]

Your car, use what makes you happy. My personal preference is the original ball.

I’ve been thinking about adding curb feelers.

[cfm65@me.com]

This is how I updated my 250SL
Regards
Chris
Cape Town

[114015]

 

Me too.

 

[SteveBrooks]

You gotta be kidding.  High treason...

[cfm65@me.com]

Best I ever could have hoped for. I just looove the 5 speed and wish I could fit one in my E Type as well.
Chris

[Atazman]

What 5-speed do you have in your SL, Chris??

[Bonnyboy]

I don't know about others but I find that I prefer using the shift stock rather than holding the shift knob to shift.  I get a better feel of the shifting.   

This is in part to growing up with a
 -  '70 Ford 3/4t dually flatdeck with manual Tranny
 -  '76 Ford 5 Ton Van with a stupid tranny
 -  MGB with a mangled tranny (had a Chev 350 hooked up to it for a while)
 - then driving a '38 Diamond T parade truck with the square cut gears
 - and then a 52 La France Pumper Firetruck with gears that I could only find 1/2 the time. 

The tranny in our Pagoda's is a dream. 

[cfm65@me.com]

Atazman.
Hi Don,
I replaced my auto box with 265/6 Getrag out of a 80s BMW. This is the overdrive gearbox with a removable bell housing.
Lovit.
Cheers
Chris

[Atazman]

Very nice, Chris!!  Thank you.