Spider Shift Knobs

[SpiderWebb]

Shift Knob decision time.

A. Stock Alfa item on Duetto's and older Spiders? Yes/No
B. Centerline Aftermarket item.
C. Stock Alfa item on Spiders? Yes/No
D and E. Stock Alfa item on 1981 (S2) Spiders? Yes/No
Z. My shifter. It is really ugly and needs to go.

I would like to get an original Alfa Shifter, but see none for sale as new. It would seem that the original types D and E allow the color to wear off over time. Is this why everyone has aftermarket ones?

A new mahogany one would be nice, but I would like to try to make my car as original as possible.

Any idea on where I can get an original 1981 Spider style shifter?

[Tifosi]

Not the answer you're looking for, but have you seen this and this from Advance Auto?



There's also a (I think) Hurst shift knob that looks a LOT like 'A' above in your post. (couldn't locate it right off, but I'm absolutely postive I've seen it somewhere recently)

Of course with 'D' and 'E', it wouldn't be unreasonable to just refinish one that wasn't all cracked.

Simple enough to do, and if it was supposed to have some simulated grain thing going on, (I dunno, mine was bone white from the sun beating on it), that's not hard either. (look up the technique they use on steel exterior doors to make them appear like they are wood)

[Zunige]

"A" is the OEM shift knob for older Spiders, and "C" should have the same look. It just seems that the shift pattern has faded in shift knob "C". This shift knob is readily available from the usual sources.

"D" and "E" are the same. They are OEM in the series 3a, have a faux mahogany look and are made of plastic. Unfortunately, the finish on these wears off very easily, which is why the shift knobs turn white. These shift knobs are NLA, and when they come up for sale, they go for a pretty penny (~ $150). Fortunately, the old MOMO shift knobs in either the light or dark mahogany were a dealer option (documented in the Alfa Accessories Catalog) and are therefore also "correct" for the series 3a and in fact, are also correct for all later Spiders through 1994.

Best regards,

[jarrington]

Go for A, and get it from Uri - Mt. Carmel Spares

I have the mahogany aftermarket knob and it's a major pain. I think (knock on wood) I've finally cured the rattling but it's not worth the hassle.

-Jason

[Roadtrip]

The mahogany knob with the Alfa emblem is a hassle to fit onto the shift lever. However, if you have a wood steering wheel, it matches perfectly and looks more original than the original.

[Zunige]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roadtrip The mahogany knob with the Alfa emblem is a hassle to fit onto the shift lever. However, if you have a wood steering wheel, it matches perfectly and looks more original than the original.

[SpiderWebb]

Thanks for all the input.

I was wondering about D and E. I never see wood looking shifters with the shift pattern, so I assumed they were the original.

My steering wheel is an original wood wheel, but the color seems much darker than the new mahogony ones for sale. The knobs I see for sale seem too light to match properly. Hmmm...

.

[shadowburn]

Whoa! I think that red wire is disconnected there in the center console just off to the bottom and left.

FWIW I just used my original shift knob, some scrap leather I had and made a cover for it. Nice, clean, and simple.

[SpiderWebb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowburn Whoa! I think that red wire is disconnected there in the center console just off to the bottom and left. FWIW I just used my original shift knob, some scrap leather I had and made a cover for it. Nice, clean, and simple.

[ghnl]

hmm, the red wire, huh?


My Alfa web page.

[shadowburn]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghnl hmm, the red wire, huh? My Alfa web page.

[WazzuJS]

Is the IAP wood shifter for the S4 any good? good fit?

[SpiderWebb]

Are the shifter ends different from Series to Series?

My shifter is hollow all the way to the base.

I suppose this is what another bb'er talked about when he said he ran wires to his shifter up through the stick (lighted shift knob). He drilled a hole at the base to allow access for the wires. Cool idea, but, alas not original enough for me.

Here is my shifter with dimensions.
The yellow lines shows that the shape spreads and flute up from 13mm to 15mm at this point:

.

[brownie93]

Is this shift knob available? It's not faded and it's 14 years old. The top is washed out from the light it's the same colour all the way around.

[lgbalfa]

i have always liked wood in alfas.

i thought about putting a nardi wheel in my car but decided to just keep it stock.