Restoring Origional Shift Knob

[justin260z]

I have the origional shift knob for my 260, and I was wondering if there was any way to restore the red, white, and blue in it? Is this shift knob rare? The only other ones I have seen have the gears labeled on it.

[zpizzaman20]

That is not the stock one.

[justin260z]

Where did that one come from then? Jeeeez, I'm so confused.

[dkd021]

I think you can get a new one at MSA for about $20.

[Arne]

Due to an obscure US DOT regulation, all manual transmission cars had to have the shift pattern visible from the driver's seat. The simplest answer to that was to put it on the shift knob, but some BMWs and VWs put labels on the dash instead.

Anyway, Datsun always met this requirement by putting the pattern on the shift knob. So yours is definitely an aftermarket knob.

[zpizzaman20]

Isn't this the one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/75-Datsun-240Z-260Z-280Z-4-Speed-Shift-Knob-Vintage_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33703QQihZ019QQitemZ8077191999QQrdZ1

[sblake01]

There were so many dealer installed and aftermarket knobs available back then. My 70 had the simple knob with the four speed pattern which must have been the original one but the 72 had a walnut knob that said DATSUN. Both cars were purchased new. The only knobs shown in the microfiche are for 5 speeds.

[TomoHawk]

That middle section (button?) should pop out somehow, right? Maybe the threaded holes goes through to the button. if it did, you could use paints or whatever to restore the color. be carful if you try to remove that button.

[justin260z]

Ill give that a shot.

5 min. later.... Nope, that didn't work. Well, I am just going to chisel away the remaining paint, I call it paint, but it is actually some sort of reflective plastic material, and paint it with a small brush. Hopefully it will look decent after my mutulation. What do you suggest I use to restore the glossy finish to the wood?

[TomoHawk]

Make sure that the inlaid button actually can pop out, and use the biggest rod you can fit into the threaded hole to push the button out. Maybe even use a long threaded rod?

[Arne]

Is it really worth the effort? You can buy a brand new polished walnut knob with Datsun emblem from MSA for $17.95. (Third one down the list, #50-3513)

http://www.thezstore.com/page/TZS/CTGY/SSK

[justin260z]

I didnt know they had that many combonations! I'll buy from the Z Store then. Did the Onyx come in any z car stock? Has anyone else bought from the Z store? It seems like a good place.