[Flowjoe]

What is the correct 4 speed shifter ball for a '69 GTO? The car has a bench seat with no console (I most likely did not need to add that ) and a Hurst shifter. At present it has a black ball with white shift pattern. I know this would be correct for a '69 Camaro without a console. As some of you may know, this car has been in the family since June of 1970 and with the exception of a fuzzy Hurst T-grip handle installed briefly in the '70s (a gift to my mom and dad from my uncle) it has always had the black ball.

Recently saw a wood knob ( now that I think of it I saw it on the PY home page while coming here...thanks CCASS!) and wondered if that was correct for my car.

[Flowjoe]

What is the correct 4 speed shifter ball for a '69 GTO? The car has a bench seat with no console (I most likely did not need to add that ) and a Hurst shifter. At present it has a black ball with white shift pattern. I know this would be correct for a '69 Camaro without a console. As some of you may know, this car has been in the family since June of 1970 and with the exception of a fuzzy Hurst T-grip handle installed briefly in the '70s (a gift to my mom and dad from my uncle) it has always had the black ball.

Recently saw a wood knob ( now that I think of it I saw it on the PY home page while coming here...thanks CCASS!) and wondered if that was correct for my car.

[STXJudge]

My 69 GTO came with a 4 speed, and the knob that was on it when I got it was a t-handle grip that said Hurst on it, without any shift pattern printed. My car was pretty abused when I got it, so take that for what it's worth.

[Flowjoe]

I am fairly certain that the T-handles are all after market...at least as far as '69s are concerned.

with camaros non console cars get the black shifter ball because the shift pattern is printed there...with a console the shift pattern is mounted on the shift plate so there is no need for a pattern on the ball...console camaros get a spiffy chrome ball.

Having never spent time in a console GTO I could only assume that the same would hold true.

Like I said, my GTO had the black ball early on...a T-grip was installed for a few years and then my mom decided she really hated it and that she had used it long enough to make my uncle feel like his gift was appreciated it was changed back to the black ball witht he shift pattern.

thanks for input.

[snakepod]

My 69 GTO also has the black ball with white pattern. This car also has the console. The walnut knob was an option. This is listed on the build sheet if you have one. Judges came with the silver t-handle. Im not certain if this was on option on non-judge models.

[crkoester]

It is also my understanding that the black ball w/ white shift pattern was standard on 69's, and the Hurst T-handle was standard with the Judge package.


Chris

[slowgto]

From the Restoration Guide:

[Flowjoe]

OK, so I should never assume .

I had forgotten about the Judge package. And now that someone mentions it I do recall reading about the T-grip.

My build sheet doesn't mention it so I would have to assume that my car did not come with the wood knob. Although, with what slowGTO has posted one could assume (there I go assuming again, perhaps I should say infer) that '69 GTO's came with the wood knob. I'm gonna hafta go out to the garage and dig out the restoration guide book now to see if the text is any more illuminating. I've always thought that the Zazarine resto guide is heavy on '67 and earlier and very light on '68 and up...'course it could be my edition.

[67ConvFB]

My dad bought a 69 new and it came with a black knob with white shift pattern. He put on a white with black shift pattern from his 66, but switched it back before he sold it. The white one still sits on a shelf in his office at home. 4 speed car with non-ramair engine.

[67ConvFB]

I think the wood knob was an option.

[Ron Landis]

The t-handle with the H-pattern was standard for Judges, black ball with white lettering for GTOs and walnut knob optional on GTOs. The 4-speed walnut would have a shift pattern while 3-speeds would just say Pontiac Motor Division. Walnut knobs were standard on 4-speed GPs. There are two different sized black knobs, but I believe that the larger one wasn't used until @ 1970. There are also two different T-handles. One has a closed "4" and the other is open. I'm sure these differences are outlined in Pete Serio's new book on Vintage Hurst Shifters, but I don't have my copy on hand at this moment. This book is a wealth of knowledge compiled by the premier Hurst shifter expert. Accuracy is first hand and unquestionable.

[Flowjoe]

jegstek: thanks for the detailed info...

[allen smith]

Can someone please tell me who sells the most "correct" repro black 4 speed shifter ball for a 1969 GTO?

thanks

[north]

What year GTO's used white knobs?

[428ho4spd]

The large style black ball was standard. Here's an old photo from 1987 of the original knob on my '69...

[428ho4spd]

Originally Posted by north

What year GTO's used white knobs?

'64 I believe?

[Ron Landis]

Originally Posted by 428ho4spd

The large style black ball was standard. Here's an old photo from 1987 of the original knob on my '69...

that looks like the "tennis ball" knob...the larger one.

[north]

now that I think of it, every 69 stick shift I've had came with the optional wood knob, even my sprint Firebird 3spd

[Bruce Meyer]

Never say never. I bought a 69 w/console back in the early 80,s. It had a white knob and a parchment console. The previous owner swore it wasnt messed with.

[rexs73gto]

The 4 spd pattern t-handle was part of the judge option package and the black ball was std. The walnut knob was a option on all 4 speed cars. The white ball came on 73-76 3-4 spd cars. A t-handle with hurst on it is an aftermarket handle.