1969 Shifter Ball

[Richard G.]

Is the black Chrome shifter ball in 1969 the same for a 4spd M-2than for a three speed or are the balls different?

[Mike E.]

Re: 1969 Shifter Ball

One and the same.

[Richard G.]

Re: 1969 Shifter Ball

I've seen part numbers that are very similar, like 3960607, 3960608, even an 09. Any differences?

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Shifter Ball

I've seen part numbers that are very similar, like 3960607, 3960608, even an 09. Any differences?

Richard------

Big differences:


GM #3960607= 3 speed manual shifter assembly

GM #3960608= shifter knob

GM #3960609= 4 speed shifter assembly

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Shifter Ball

Is the black Chrome shifter ball in 1969 the same for a 4spd M-2than for a three speed or are the balls different?

Richard-----

Any minor familiarity I had with 1969 3 speed manual trans cars was over in about 1969. However, vaguely, and I should emphasize EXTREMELY vaguely, I recall that they had a chrome shifter knob.

While the part number association implies that both the 3 and 4 speed had the black chrome ball, GM parts information indicates something to the contrary. That information specifies that the 1969 with 3 speed manual transmission used knob GM #3857160. This is the same chrome knob used for all 1964-68 manual transmission shifters. The GM #3960608 black chrome knob is specified for 1969 (and later) with 4 speed manual transmission.

Does anyone out there have an original 1969 with 3 speed with known-original shifter knob that we can use for reference?

[Richard G.]

Re: 1969 Shifter Ball

Joe, as usual, thanks! I have a benchmarked/regional top flight 17k mile 69 L71. The car was built in the last two weeks of production and the shifter ball is chrome. I've had a number of parts on the car questioned over the years and proven correct, so I don't like changing anything. This is literally my only interior deduct and I hate to change it. There were a number of oddities on the car since it was such a late build, but I was trying to see which is the real correct shifter. The 07 I thought was a three spd, but I haven't seen a 3spd 69 that I could remember, maybe one in all my years of Vette restoration. Thanks again.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Shifter Ball

Joe, as usual, thanks! I have a benchmarked/regional top flight 17k mile 69 L71. The car was built in the last two weeks of production and the shifter ball is chrome. I've had a number of parts on the car questioned over the years and proven correct, so I don't like changing anything. This is literally my only interior deduct and I hate to change it. There were a number of oddities on the car since it was such a late build, but I was trying to see which is the real correct shifter. The 07 I thought was a three spd, but I haven't seen a 3spd 69 that I could remember, maybe one in all my years of Vette restoration. Thanks again.

Richard-------


There were only 252 1969 Corvettes built with 3 speed manual transmission. I'll bet a good number of these were converted to 4 speed somewhere along the way.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 1969 Shifter Ball

I have only seen one 1969 3 speed. A guy had is for sale outside a car show in Auburn In. It was a base conv. 3 speed with a radio. It probably was a dealer bait & switch Corvette. I can remember the adds. lowest Corvette prices in town . Dealers did it a lot back when we all ordered what we wanted & not the cookie cutter off the lot sale. The shifter & ball looked just like the 4-speed ones. The shift plate was the only difference I saw. I would have bought it had it been a 4-speed. Told the guy it was a rare car but that hardly anyone would want it.

[Mark D.]

Re: 1969 Shifter Ball

... so I don't like changing anything.

3-speed 69's are rare for a reason. I'm not into telling folks what they should or shouldn't do but, I recommend leaving the chrome ball in place, if you feel it is correct.

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 Shifter Ball

I have only seen one 1969 3 speed. A guy had is for sale outside a car show in Auburn In. It was a base conv. 3 speed with a radio. It probably was a dealer bait & switch Corvette. I can remember the adds. lowest Corvette prices in town . Dealers did it a lot back when we all ordered what we wanted & not the cookie cutter off the lot sale. The shifter & ball looked just like the 4-speed ones. The shift plate was the only difference I saw. I would have bought it had it been a 4-speed. Told the guy it was a rare car but that hardly anyone would want it.

Kenneth------


One very obvious difference between the 3 speed and 4 speed shifters was the fact that the 3 speed did not have the reverse lock-out "T" handle. So, from this aspect alone, the 3 and 4 speed shifters are easily identified.

[Kenneth B.]

Re: 1969 Shifter Ball

Kenneth------One very obvious difference between the 3 speed and 4 speed shifters was the fact that the 3 speed did not have the reverse lock-out "T" handle. So, from this aspect alone, the 3 and 4 speed shifters are easily identified.

Again you are right. I only remember it was a original looking shifter & chrome ball & not a Hurst shifter.