69 Shifter Knob Finish

[Floyd B.]

The shifter knob on my '69 4-spd car is bright chrome - like the TIM&JG describes for a '68. Supposedly, all '69's have a "black chrome" ball. The bright chrome ball I have shows the normal amount of wear and scratches expected for a 47 year old car. I'm wondering if it's not unusual for a very early '69 production (circa 10/4/68) car to have a '68 style shifter knob or if I need to find an original black chrome ball.

[Gary R.]

Re: 69 Shifter Knob Finish

My original 69 was black chrome. It was an early car with the relay on the inner fender and large vac can for the wiper door.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 69 Shifter Knob Finish

Thanx Gary. I am now convinced my car does not have the original shifter knob. I also received confirmation from someone with a Bowtie car that was built on the same day as mine. His also sports the black chrome knob.

[Joe L.]

Re: 69 Shifter Knob Finish

Thanx Gary. I am now convinced my car does not have the original shifter knob. I also received confirmation from someone with a Bowtie car that was built on the same day as mine. His also sports the black chrome knob.

Floyd-------


I have a friend who is the original owner of a 1969 built in early October, 1968. His car has a black chrome knob.

Here's what may have occurred in your case: the black chrome knob, GM #3960608, was discontinued in December, 1974 and replaced by the chrome knob, GM #3857160. So, if the knob needed to be replaced after that time (e.g. someone stole the original knob), the only knob available from GM would have been the chrome knob.

[Floyd B.]

Re: 69 Shifter Knob Finish

Joe,

That makes total sense. I shouldn't be surprised. One of the previous four owners had decided he didn't like the 411 bright blue interior and changed it out to black. Some parts were dyed, some replaced, etc. It's now a Mulligan stew of an interior.

Thanx,

-Floyd-