Short or Long shifter?

[xbimmer]

Having purchased my '59 bugeye a few months ago and seeing others at various shows....I find my shifter is soo long I nearly hit the ignition switch in 1st and 3rd....did the '59 bugeye come with such a long shifter....I'm thinking about taking 4 inches off the top to clear the dash.

 

[drooartz]

Show us a picture if you can. I've still got the original transmission in my Bugeye, and the shifter clears the bottom of the dash, no problem.

 

[jlaird]

From the top of the ball to the top of the threads it is 6 1/2 inchs long. Has a small bend in it toward the rear.

 

[BWillis]

Ahah!

I wondered when you would show up on the forums! I've seen the shifter in question and even have a few pictures of it. It's longer than my shift lever by several inches.

 

[Baz]

According to one of my books, prior to engine # 3995, the lever was bent to help prevent the dashboard scraping.
Some may have had a longer shifter borrowed from the A35 which used the smoothcase prior to BE.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

Racers have been shortening them for years. A shifter is a personal thing, I wouldn't hesitate to modify for presonal comfort.

Where in South Carolina are you, I'm in Greenville.

 

[xbimmer]

I'm in Greenwood........made it to the showing at the BMW plant this fall.

 

[Hap Waldrop]

I was working the field that day, parking all the MGs, Healeys, Mini, Morgans and such.

 

[BWillis]

I was there as well Hap!