Restoring Origional Shift Knob

[DougN]

Perhaps it is possible to use the plastic emblem from a new "fat" knob on an original knob? If so, then you could simply refinsh the wood part of the knob, and replace the plastic shift pattern part of your original knob with onse from a new "fat" knob.

[Zak's Z]

I'd also like to restore my old 4-speed shift knob. I have taken it apart, and I dont think theres any way to restore that little plastic emblem. It looks too delicate, and I also have those tiny hair-line stress fractures in it.

I cant remember (its in storage) but I also think the chrome trim at the bottom is also coming off. I think its a paint over plastic. Its easy enough to re-paint that, sand the knob a bit and re-varnish it, but its that little plastic piece that catches your eye.

If anyone has restored this, please post some pics.

Zak

[ddezso]

I plan to attempt a restoration on my original knob with the same cracked plastic. I am keeping mine because it is the only remnant of my first Z car I got when I was 16. I totalled the car and wound up in the hospital for a week with a ruptured spleen. My Mom went to the junkyard and retreived the knob and some emblems. I guess it is sentimental to me but I hope it's not bad luck.

I saw the earlier post on restoring with stain and tung oil.

Any other perspectives on that for the wood and has anyone brought back the 'metal' ring on the bottom with any methods?

[hls30.com]

While I look for mine, someone post a pic of theirs, maybe I have it wrong-I've never bought a shift knob from th dealer, and it could well be that all I have seen is aftermarket versions...

Will

[Arne]

I'm not at home today, I'll post pics of both original and replacement later. It looks like the plastic emblems are the same, but it seems a shame to sacrifice a $60 knob just for the emblem, even if I could get it off without damaging it.

[hls30.com]

I just went to Courtesy Nissan and looked-obviously I have been considering after market cloisinee emblems as OEM, the two I have must be oem knob with and aftermarket emblem. I'll still try to find them...

Will

[hls30.com]

I would think that pinting a suitable sticker on a high res laser printer then casting a urethane bubble over it would take care of it. Cant be a tough as restoring a fired enamel version.

Wll

[moonpup]

When I freshened one up that I had, a nice coat of clear made virtually all the fine cracks disappear.

[Arne]

I'll look into clear-coating the emblem, that may be all I need there.

Will, the plastic emblems (lens) on the factory knobs have 3-D relief to the numbers and pattern. They are molded into the under-side of the lens, the reliefs are painted pale gray, and then the back of the lens was painted black. Done that way, the numbers and pattern stand out in the clear lens. Would be hard to duplicate without molding a completely new lens with the reliefs cast in.

[240jetjoc]

I have a copy of a Datsun asccessory brochure for the 1972 240Z. As options, Datsun offered two different shift knobs with the "colorful Datsun logo". One was vinyl-covered part no. 99990-00005, and the other was polished walnut part no. 99990-00004. Hope that sheds some light on whether they were available stock, or not. My 07/72 Z has the optional polished walnut knob with the Datsun logo, as well as the optional dual racing mirror set part no. 99990-0013.

Roger

[hls30.com]

I have a copy of a Datsun asccessory brochure for the 1972 240Z. As options, Datsun offered two different shift knobs with the "colorful Datsun logo". One was vinyl-covered part no. 99990-00005, and the other was polished walnut part no. 99990-00004. Hope that sheds some light on whether they were available stock, or not. My 07/72 Z has the optional polished walnut knob with the Datsun logo, as well as the optional dual racing mirror set part no. 99990-0013.

Roger

A picture would help with your great part number and availability info!

Will

[hls30.com]

This pic has four of the emblems I have seen in Zs, If I the 4spd is stock '69-'73, but what I have seen most often in S30s the red 5spd emblem on the wooden knob with the 4spd emblem on it.

Will