[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by Judge273

You're saying that a early build 71 TA 4 speed was equipped with the big black ball?

First I've heard this...

I have come to understand that early 1971 model year Firebirds carried over some of the 1970-only parts - like shift knobs and exhaust tips;

Here' is a post not by me supporting this:

Originally Posted by 2manyT/A'S

I've found that early 71's (especially Van Nuys built) tended to use a lot of "carry over" parts from the 70 model run,including 70 exhaust tips,chrome guage bezels & mixes of JW & KR wheels.

It would be interesting to find out the percentage of cars built at each plant for the 70 & 71 model years.

My guess would be about 75% Norwood & 25% Van Nuys
If you look on page 27 of the 1971 Pontiac showroom brochure,they show a picture of the dash & console of a 4-speed T/A & the shifter looks kinda different (console application).
That might be the straighter (non-console) lever.

Can you post some pics of YOUR console/shifter?

Here is a quote I quickly found for you that seems hard to refute;

Originally Posted by Chiefpontiac

I can provide two more examples of TA's equipped with the large black ball:

1) 1970 TA without console and less than 100k miles built in May 1970. Did not end up with this car but it was original down to the hose clamps.

2) 1971 TA with console and less than 90k miles built in August 1970. This is my personal car and it is definitely the original knob. It also has the chrome rings around the gauges.

It seems to me that this shifter handle issue comes up every once in a while, and many say something along the lines of "I've never heard of this"...

If you spend more time than I just did, you should be able to come up with several examples of original 1971 Firebirds having the black knob...

Lastly, here is a page out of the 1971 Firebird brochure;