Correct Cobra shifter's origin??

[Whaler]

Hello gang, somebody told me last week that the cobra's forward raked shifter got it's origin from a 65 mustang that Shelby had access to. He simply turned it around for his car.
Seeing as how the car did seem to be a composite of many donor parts could this be true?

I went to a car show on the weekend and looked specifically at old mustang 4 spd. shifters with this info in mind. It does look like it could be the same animal.

I have the Tremek tko and have yet to buy my shifter handle. I do know the mustang stuff is quite different in the bottom end. So no I won't be looking to try and adapt that into my car.....My tremec is simply a short stub to which the handle will bolt onto.

Can I ask where did everyone else find their handles at attractive prices??

Tim

[Dan Heck]

One correct-looking option would be the reproduction forward-bent shifter stalk offered by Finishline that is made to bolt right up to the Tremec-style 2-bolt stub. It has a movable but nonfunctional spring-loaded reverse lockout thingamajig for authentic appearance. Not cheap at something like $150, but that's about the same as the repro 1965 Mustang shifters from Mustangs Unlimited that you'd still have to fangle onto your Tremec. Don't forget to request your 10% Clubcobra discount at Finishline- good for some, but not every part they carry.

Dan

[65cobra427]

Whaler, you are correct!!! The shifter was outta a Mustang and the original Cobra transmission was a Ford 4 speed top loader...

[Whaler]

Thanks Dan, looks to be exactly what I need.......
Boot/Ring and knob still to be added so it's starting to add up. Does FFR sell a shifter handle??

The more I look at it I would bet it's cheaper to have one made and then chromed.....okay all I need are dimensions....LOL

[Brad Pfeifer]

Whaler,

You are correct - the shifter is indeed out of a 1965 Mustang. Given that the engine/transmission were moved aft in the Cobra, Shelby simply undid the two bolts and flipped it 180 degrees.

The Mustang toploader uses a different bolt pattern than the TKO, so you have to get the reproduction for TKO piece. They also make a reproduction shift knob that has the 5-speed pattern on it instead of the original four.

Sacramento Mustang has both of these parts available. (www.sacramento-mustang.com)

Brad

[BJGreen]

Yes FFR also has the shifter, boot, and trim ring. The FFR shifter appears to be slightly shorter than some of the other reproductions at $129. The FFR boot is good quality and only $14. You can order from their web site at http://parts.factoryfive.com/427/interior/interior.html

[Silk]

I bought the shifter,boot ,trim ring and knob from Enzo and Paula, about $300.00, but man as far as shifters go this is a beauty, I am a believer in you get what you pay for though!! Hey why am I signed up as silk!!!

Gordon Claunch

[Bob Putnam]

While the bend of the Mustang shifter might be the same, the handle tube was actually turned 180 degrees on the reverse lockout boss. I don't know whether Shelby bought the parts and assembled them himself or cut and modified them the way we used to do. Now we just make them from scratch...

[Whaler]

Thanks everyone. Lots of good info. Will recieve my car without a shifter, so that stub should make for some wild leverage and really short shifts/throws LOL

Tim

[Trans-Am Jim]

I've got the OEM shifter on my toploader, and my buddy's got the FFR stalk on his TKO. Although more expensive, the Finishline piece is of higher quality, better feel, and more correct appearance (if that makes a dif) than the FFR piece. The Finishline shifter sits at a much more convenient angle too. The boots and trim rings are almost exactly the same, with the FFR being considerably less expensive

Just my opinion

[Whaler]

TA Jim thanks as well, precisely the kind of comparison I need. Sounds like the shifter will come from Enzo and the rest from elsewhere. Nothing like some hands on opinions.
I bought all my oil cooler/ remote filter setup from Finishline and Paula was excellent to deal with.

As well the 10% discount is always appreciated.

Tim

[Bruce Botti]

Brad,
I'm looking for the 5-speed shift knob at Sacramento Mustang, but can't find it on their site. Can you help?

I have the repro shifter handle from Finishline. What thread pattern is it?

Thanks,

Bruce

[Whaler]

In the pull down for 64 and up mustangs ..use transmission then hit go.
This is the only 5 spd knob that shows and its the second one down on the page



http://www.sacramento-mustang.com/


Tim

[Andy FIA]

Bruce - I'm intrigued, why do you need a 5 speed gear knob, I have an original type 4-speed on my Tremec, and I can always remember where 5th is!!!!!!!

Andy

[Bob Putnam]

Connecticut inspection requires a shift knob that actually indicates where the gears are. It must be so the parking lot attendants don't shift into reverse at 75 mph while they're moving the car.

[mikiec]

Conn Inspection....

Now that is dumb.....

Mike

[Whaler]

was quite surprised when one day I shifted into fifth in a new YJ we had a while back. She just assumed it was a 4 spd as that's what she drove.
LOL........had she only looked at the shifter knob before....

What I am getting at is that the girls in my clan tend to look at these things now.....I would prefer that the knob tells it as it is for my tranny's sake and theirs.


Fake reverse lockouts are about as far as I will go.

Tim

[mikiec]

I understand doing it because you want to .... Just do not understand the state making you....

Mike

[Bruce Botti]

Andy,
Its for a customer.....but even if it were for me, it would have to be a plain knob or one with the correct gear pattern. Maybe its just my old age catching up....

[Andy Barwick]

The rules that you guys have over there never cease to amaze me, how do the parking lot attendants cope with all those old cars that never had anything on the gear knob???