Anybody ever use a Sparkomatic shifter?

Spark-O-Matic had a couple different models[prices] of shifters-the one I remember the best was under $20 at K-mart.The shift handle was 1/2 inch round rod,co**** threaded both ends.Within the first few weeks the handle would break off right at the start of the threads where it screwed into the shifter.No problem,you would un-screw the shift knob,turn the handle upside down and go on down the road-leaving the very sharp broken end to grab a shift!!!MANY bandaids later you would finally thread the broken end and start the process all over!!

 

First piece of "speed equiptment" I bought new. Didn't work real well but I still have a soft spot for them in my heart. I reworked a few over the years to actually function, mostly with Hurst parts.

 

treat it gental ,it was low cost shifter .... good luck

 

I used the Spark-O-Matic shifters in couple of three speed cars back in the 60's and 70's this is the unit I referred to above. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000BQ08S2?tag=amazon3d-20

 

I bought the one like this at Nichols Discount City. A true hot bed of performance.......

 

Had one in my 1962 Chevy Nova in 1968 . My father and I went to a speed shop in New Brunswick NJ on a trip to see family. Spent my hard earned money on it. Yup it did jam at times as you said. Thought it was the nuts as opposed to the 3 on the tree and came from a real speed shop!! Memories!!

 

Great memories for me. All the things we did back when were precious memories. Wish I could go back for a day. Lippy

 

Sparkomatic shifter was first piece of aftermarket I ever bought , trying to flat shift with it moved me to a Hurst Mystery shifter and then on to a Hurst Syncho-loc

 

Nothing beats a......

 

I agree but there were a couple pretty decent shifters that came out in the sixties. PG or PD was one, though I can't remember the exact name.

 

The ones with the flat plate shift lever seemed to work way better than the ones with the rod for a handle. As a bonus, I had the speakers from the Sparkomatic hooked to my AM radio!

 

When I was in high school, anybody who bought anything sparklematic was ridiculed for being so foolish as to buy that worthless junk.

 

I did.
In HS I replaced a perfect 3 on the tree with one.
My wise uncle warned me.
Shifted like ****.
Was it the shifters fault or my teenage ignorance?
I’m going 49/51 both.
In my favor.