On-the-Tree Shift Knob Ideas – Got Any?

For four years, I've been selecting drive with a metal rod because I can't think of what to use as a cool automatic shift knob. I'm building my car as a mid 60s atomic-style kustom. So I'd like something in that vein instead of a skull, granade, tiki, or beer tap, etc.
The fact it's an automatic on the tree means it will be viewed horzontal. This provides a different challange as opposed to the traditional style shift knobs, but it also provides an opportunity to do something different. I've thought of shot glasses, action figures, old jewelry, kids toys, anything chrome like statues or ornaments. I'm Christian so I thought praying hands or a bleeding heart might be cool, even a cross. Any other ideas?

 

Maybe an old glass doorknob?

 

A long barrel Pistol ?

 

A Pabst Blue Ribbon beer tap lever knob. Used to see them all the time when I was a kid.

 

Beer Tap

 

ok, i re-read...60's style...

Peterbilt trucks had some bitchin glitter shift knobs in the 60's/70's....maybe one of those?

 

Jesus' head!

 

Who the hell are you, C. W. McCall?

 

lucite??

 

While we are on the subject, I have a mid-sixties column T-Bird tree mounted shirt lever. How the hell do you get the "knob" thats already on there off? I think its pressed on....
Like the original poster of this thread, I, too, am tired of the stock "knob".

Now back to our regularly scheduled thread.....

 

My 53 chevy has a 3 on the tree. The knob is a big oversized bullet. I cant stand it. If anone wants it toss me 5 bucks and pay for shipping and it's yours. I'm going to make one out of acrylic or wood on my lathe.

 

atomic styled?
maybe you could have two separate handles that both the driver and co-pilot have to use simultaneously, kind of like a fail-safe system

 

or convert to push button

 

I used 1956 Chevy truck chrome waterfall knobs throughout the 50 Burb... including one I drilled/tapped for the end of a late model Caddy swan neck column shifter. (Also matches my oil dipstick handle)

so..., maybe use a matching knob for what's already on your dash? Or a window crank knob?

 

great idea

 

use a barbie doll... or ken..
if thats your thinking when grabbin a gear..?

ham bone /cow leg

artificial arm /foot /leg

rolling pin

golf club

miniture baseball bat

screwdriver handle

hammer

eeek vibrator...natural o coarse

oooh oooh and of put a xmas tree topper on your tree

 

mexican glass, old phone pole insulators, musical instrument parts, Jesus head, make someting origional...i.e resin sealed hot wheels glitter ball.

 

Just remember the weight consideration, you don't want anything heavy enough to drop you out of or into another gear when going over bumps etc.
Probably even more of a consideration than the floor shift knobs on old style tall shift levers for autos and standards.

 

how's this ....

 

Johnson Adj Lifter

 

Thanks for the bullet offer pete, but it doesn't really accent my atomic theme.

As for Jesus head, I did find a few on ebay that I could have tapped and fit, but somehow that didn't seem quite right.

Glitter, chrome, glass/acrylic is definately along the lines of "atomic". Something off an old "hi-fi" might work. I have some cool aftermarket chrome knobs on the dash, but I really wanted this knob to be more of a highlight. It's got to be something eye catching worth featuring in the interior.

 

I'll have to get an interior shot to post later.

 

how's this?
Your interior is green and white, correct? and your roof is flaked.
Find a curve or shape on your car you want to duplicate.
make a mould incorporating similar shapes.
pour a base of green resin. then a 16th inch of white, then silver flake. find script or an emblem from the car or from fords of the period. (falcon trunk badge has cool red white and blue german beer logo-ish graphic on it. for example)
trim and modify as needed and lay on the flake and fill the rest of the mould with clear resin. shape, sand and buff. just a thought i had while thinking on this. will prob do something like that for mine

 

Here's mine;an NOS hood ornament drilled and tapped for the shift lever.Pissed off a couple of "Poncho Purists" with it.

 

In the classifieds I have my knobs up for sale in there the dia de los muertos and the skull and bones were made for my coulumn shift.

 

Flip it to the other side so you can keep your arm around your girl

 

here you go an inanimate carbon rod

 

Find a Cnc machine shop that has a Mazak turning center( that is afancy lathe)tell them what you want shouldnt cost more than $200

 

A little tiny piston

 

I have been thinking about using a crank handle on the adjustment feed of a lathe or mill. They come in different sizes, in plastic or steel, kinda have a cool shape, and quite affordable in MSC or McMaster Carr..

tc