356B shift knob

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Lloyd Keigwin
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356B shift knob

#1 Post by Lloyd Keigwin »

My early 57 coupe came with what I assume is a 356B shift knob and shortened shaft that was jury rigged to the stub of the original shifter shaft. The B shaft slides over the A shaft and the two were cleverly secured with what I think is the pinch clamp from a front stub axle from a B. It was that way as early as 1968. Maybe it looked more modern but it did nothing to improve the shifting.

I tried the Ken Daugherty shift tower and used the same knob with an adapter, but it was too much trouble (trial and error) to get everything aligned correctly. I returned to the original (stock) floor shifter mechanism, devised a better shifter, and reattached the 356B knob. There is no dimple on the top.

In handling the knob, I noticed a slight asymmetry. In cross section the knob is slightly tapered at one end, like a bicycle helmet, which I assume is meant to be rear-facing. Although this difference is not obvious, with the tail to the back it seems a better fit to the hand. This may be a manufacturing defect, but I doubt it.

Has anyone noticed this before? If someone would confirm this observation (evidently nothing in archives on this), it would be yet another example of the attention to detail that marks our marque. Why would the designers even bother with such a small detail? I believe it is the sum of many such features that made these cars as desirable back in the day as they are today.

Lloyd Keigwin

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Sebastian Gaeta
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Re: 356B shift knob

#2 Post by Sebastian Gaeta »

Lloyd,

If you can post a picture or three, you would get your answer immediately. I for one am very interested to see what this shift knob look slike.
Sebastian Gaeta
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Registry #8339

'65 C coupe
'64 C cab

-------
2014 Boxster 981
2005 997 C2 Cab
1967 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1966 VW Single Cab
1966 Ducati Cafe Racer
1964 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1963 Beetle

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Mike Wilson
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Re: 356B shift knob

#3 Post by Mike Wilson »

Years ago when I bought my '58 coupe, it had a similar set up on the shifter. It was a VW accessory.

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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Martin Benade
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Re: 356B shift knob

#4 Post by Martin Benade »

I had a 56 VW that probably had the same thing. I never looked inside to boot to see if it was clamped or welded, but it looked like a real B shifter at quick glance.
Cleveland Ohio
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Mike Wilson
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Re: 356B shift knob

#5 Post by Mike Wilson »

Mine was clamped.

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

Lloyd Keigwin
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Re: 356B shift knob

#6 Post by Lloyd Keigwin »

Sebastian, I just assumed the mystery knob (photo attached) was from a 356B, but I compared it to a complete B shifter assembly and I can see the original is completely symmetrical. The mystery knob has the same length (75 mm) and same shaft diameter (15 mm) as the original, but at its widest part the original knob has a diameter 2 mm shorter.

So could the one pictured be from a 356C or early 911?
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Mystery knob.JPG

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Sebastian Gaeta
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Re: 356B shift knob

#7 Post by Sebastian Gaeta »

Lloyd,

I have 2 C's and along with all the C cars I have observed over the years I can say with confidence that B & C knobs are the same. If I had to guess, I would say that your knob has been modified. Can you post a picture of the top of the knob? I am curious if it has the manufacturer's dimple. That would not change the fact that I believe it has been modified, I am just curious.
Sebastian Gaeta
www.arbormotion.com

Registry #8339

'65 C coupe
'64 C cab

-------
2014 Boxster 981
2005 997 C2 Cab
1967 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1966 VW Single Cab
1966 Ducati Cafe Racer
1964 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1963 Beetle

Lloyd Keigwin
356 Fan
Posts: 60
Joined: Mon Apr 07, 2008 9:03 am
Location: Cape Cod, MA

Re: 356B shift knob

#8 Post by Lloyd Keigwin »

I don't think it has been modified because the diameter of the top is 2mm larger than the 356B. No dimple or anything else noteworthy on the top surface. But it sure "looks" Porsche. The one I have known to be 356B has a small circular mark on the top at center, surrounded by what I would call a starburst pattern or lines radiating from the circle. Looks like a mfg artifact.

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Sebastian Gaeta
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Re: 356B shift knob

#9 Post by Sebastian Gaeta »

Lloyd Keigwin wrote: The one I have known to be 356B has a small circular mark on the top at center, surrounded by what I would call a starburst pattern or lines radiating from the circle. Looks like a mfg artifact.
That’s exactly what it is, a manufacturing artifact. The starburst are probably little hairline cracks.

As for the knob, the easy answer is that it is custom made, especially since there is no dimple, but someone might read this thread that knows something we don’t, although that is not likely. The short answer is that I would wager a large sum that it is not a stock setup from Porsche.
Sebastian Gaeta
www.arbormotion.com

Registry #8339

'65 C coupe
'64 C cab

-------
2014 Boxster 981
2005 997 C2 Cab
1967 Karmann Ghia Convertible
1966 VW Single Cab
1966 Ducati Cafe Racer
1964 Karmann Ghia Coupe
1963 Beetle

Michael Foster
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Re: 356B shift knob

#10 Post by Michael Foster »

Are you talking about these?
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MICHAEL FOSTER

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Vic Skirmants
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Re: 356B shift knob

#11 Post by Vic Skirmants »

Since the knob is screwed on, there is no positive stop for alignment. Ergo, it must be symmetrical. The custom knobs with the Porsche crest, in order for the crest to be situated correctly, have a thin lock nut to hold them in the correct orientation.

Lloyd Keigwin
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Re: 356B shift knob

#12 Post by Lloyd Keigwin »

Michael, I think what I have is the one on the left in your photo, with the bent shaft. Mystery solved. This knob is not threaded so orientation can be changed. Thanks all.

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Mike Wilson
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Re: 356B shift knob

#13 Post by Mike Wilson »

That's the same one that was on my '58.

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

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Daniel Roman
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Re: 356B shift knob

#14 Post by Daniel Roman »

MICHAEL FOSTER wrote:Are you talking about these?
Michael is correct. That is a ShiftStar aftermarket accessory knob. They are vintage made in Germany. They made shift knobs for VW, BMW and possibly other makes. The knob has not been modified. The offset is what makes them distinctive. It is an early ergonomic design.
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