The Difference Between Nos And Nissan Reproduction Shift Knobs

[71Nissan240Z]

So I got heckled on e-bay while selling my NOS kick plates because of the prices that I listed. And I'm not sure if anyone on here found my ebay store. But I do sell OEM used NOS and reproduction parts. This isn't a post to solicit my store but it is just an example of the differences between NOS and Nissan reproduced. Anytime I list NOS parts and sell them, I am at a loss as far as finding that particular part again. I list NOS parts to keep them available to the public and to help the community.

This is just an example of a shift knob. One that is NOS and one that is Nissan reproduction. From the parts numbers you can see they aren't the same. Take a look at the size and color, you can see NOS is a tan while the reproduced part is a very dark almost petrified wood look. The biggest difference is the weight. The Nissan reproduction is very light compared to the NOS part. There is no noticeable difference in the bottom portion. In the end tho this should clear up any concerns of quality between NOS and reproduction. In most cases for the everyday driver the rreproduced parts are just fine. But if your doing a correct restoration there's no way around the price of genuine nissan old stock in most cases.

I'll post more examples of other items I have later on.

[psdenno]

As another measure of comparison, what's the difference in price?

Dennis

[71Nissan240Z]

The nissan reproduction is going for 150+ on ebay right now. As far as the NOS. There's nothing to compare to so it's hard to put a price on it. I know I saw a decent used NOS knob go for 80. When you can't find the part anywhere online it's really up to how much ppl are willing to pay...Sometimes people get attached to their collection (I'm one of them) and when you list a part for whatever reason the price can go up just because you know you'll probably never find one again

[hatepotholez]

Not to get too off topic, but do they sell the gear pattern decal somewhere?

[CanTechZ]

Interesting on the color/finish, mine has a bit of a cherry look similar to the steering wheel.  Neither have been refinished. Not really like either of your samples.

[71Nissan240Z]

Interesting on the color/finish, mine has a bit of a cherry look similar to the steering wheel.  Neither have been refinished. Not really like either of your samples.

Interesting. ..can anyone confirm? As far as the decal...I did see one floating around ebay. I don't remember the price as it was long ago.

[nix240z]

here is a nissan knob from 1999 and the original.

first the size on 99 is much wider 1.75" vs 1.565" and second it is taller 2.35" vs 2.27" and lighter color.

 

The original is dark in color.

 

 

[71Nissan240Z]

Wood drys out overtime. Maybe that's why it's smaller? My friend has a 73 with an original shifter and small like that one. The part number for your new one is also the same as my most recent nissan shift knob.

[nix240z]

I believe that all replacements , new or old NOS are bigger than the original.

Wood drys out overtime. Maybe that's why it's smaller? My friend has a 73 with an original shifter and small like that one. The part number for your new one is also the same as my most recent nissan shift knob.

[Patcon]

Woods dry but not that much...

Charles

[Carl Beck]

Interesting discussion. Terms and their meanings seem to vary by use and user.

 

NOS usually means an Old Part that is still unused originated by the original manufacturer. Both shift knobs are from Nissan, one is 16 years old and the other ??. Who knows when Nissan last purchased shift knobs for the 70’s Z’s?  I would say that both are actually NOS Parts from Nissan.

 

Reproductions - are made by after market suppliers - to look like the original Nissan Parts. 

 

You might have an NOS part from the 70’s - but you could also have an NOS part from the 90’s. I don’t think the manufacturer that puts their part number on the item is really selling “a reproduction”. I think they sometimes refer to them as “Replacement Parts”. Meaning the form, fit and function is the same - even if there are minor cosmetic issues.

 

So maybe - one is NOS and the other is an NOS Replacement Part if you want to more specifically define it. 

 

Just a thought

Carl B.

[Captain Obvious]

I have also noticed that the OEM knobs are very heavy for their size. As far as I can tell, they are real wood, but I think they impregnated the wood with a sealant or plastic of some sort. Wouldn't be surprised it they used the same process on the steering wheels.

 

And like CanTechZ, the knobs I've messed with looked like they were ORIGINALLY reddish tint. They are all sorts of brown now, but I've chipped busted screw threads out of a couple now and where they were never exposed to light or skin oil, they had a reddish hue.

 

I've got one now with the threads out. The outside looks like the one 71Nissan240Z posted, but the inside looks like CanTechZ's. I'll snap a pic or two if I get a chance.