Early Versus Late Shifter

Bo,

I researched this last year and it seems that there is a bit of debate over when the change actually took place in production, and with each plant. Bill Heeley, the shifter rebuilder in Maryland, told me that he felt the most accurate source of information was from the fellow that owns Paradise Wheels (can't remember his name now - is that Jim Cowles?). Bill said that the change occured sometime around the end of 64 or early 65, and that all the Shelby folks were buying up the early angle handles he had left. I'm not sure how much of this information is legend or fact, but it might help put you on the right track. I do know that the angle handles are less common than the bent version. Bill does a nice job of rebuilding the handles. If you call him he will share information gladly: (301) 774-6710.

One of the MCA judges can probably give you more accurate info.

Edited by - round2K on 07/03/2007 21:31:04

The change happened sometime in the Fall of '64, probably around October '64. Your May '65 car would have the normal curved 4 speed shifter.

Would the early short bend shifter always come with the bolted-to-the-floor shift boot retainer, rather than the chrome floating plate?

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>

Would the early short bend shifter always come with the bolted-to-the-floor shift boot retainer, rather than the chrome floating plate?

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana" size=2 id=quote>

Don't know for sure, but I don't ever recall seeing a shifter bezel plate with the curved arm... only with the straight.

I can tell you my 11/21/64 car has the short bend shifter and it is very original.

This picture from the 65 GT350 website shows 5S003 with a short bend shift lever and what appears to be the floating chrome bezel.

I thought there were only 2 types of shifter handles, the straight ones used on the early 64.5 through early 65 cars and then the normal curved shifter.

What do you guys mean by short bend?

I think the reference to the short bend is what we also refer to as the angle. There are only two styles angle or curved. Interesting that the picture shows the angle and the chrome bezel. Also note that there are the correct 4 exposed bellows above the chrome ring. It seems like many people only install the ring to show 3 bellows.

Edited by - round2K on 07/12/2007 12:15:47

Right, short bend = sharp angle (non-curved). Nice eye on the bellows detail Dave. Also notice the gauge pod which was a clay prototype, tach face is only a mockup.

That Shelby pic is not definitive. That shifter could be a curved one that is up in 1st or 3rd with the pic taken.

I agree it's not definitive but when I raise the boot in my car (curved shifter) to the same height as the pic the curve is still visible in 1st and 3rd. Plus 003 had a scheduled San Jose build date of Oct. 26, 1964 so the time frame seems about right.

The present owner of 003 is a friend of mine, I should see him this weekend so will ask him about the shifter and report back.