917 Style/Inspired Shift Knobs
 

Hallo!

I'm proud to announce that Pelican Parts is now carrying the 917/908 inspired shift knobs that I hand turn on a wood lathe. While not an exact replica, I am carrying the tradition on a shift knob that another Pelican had started. The shift knobs I create are turned from sustainable mahogany and maple. I rotate the thinner maple strips 90* so that I end up with a stronger laminate, one that won't warp (okay, wood is wood and does it's own thing, but this method minimizes things). The rotation also enhances the "chatoyancy" in the woods, by contrasting each other. So, without further ado...

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1399883820.jpg

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1399883840.jpg
The knobs above are finished with polyurethane.

I have designed a aluminum bushing that allows fitment for 911/912 model years 1965-1989. The bushings will also fit most 914's as far as I know and are listed in the catalog as well. They were also designed with longevity and ease of install/removal in mind.

Two finish options are available at the moment. Friction and Polyurethane. The friction polish arrives with a "high" gloss, but will wear down and "patina" more quickly, but still providing the wood with the necessary protection. The poly finish will attain the high gloss finish much longer and will also protect the wood a bit from light scratches/dents, but will also wear with age and eventually attain a random "patina".

The diameter of the knobs are roughly 48mm, slightly larger than the stock 911 knobs.

Questions, comments, complaints, kudos, et al, please direct to me. I want to make sure everyone is a happy camper.

Link to the 1974-1989 spot in the Pelican Parts catalog:
Porsche 911 (1974-1989) - Shift Linkage - Page 2

Link to the 1965-1973 spot...
Porsche 911 (1965-1973) - Shift Linkage - Page 2

For the 914 peeps that lurk...
Porsche 914, 914-6 (1970-1976) - Shift Linkage - Page 1

**I recommend a little blue loc-tite for the set screws.

The knobs with the anodized black bushings will appear in the catalog in the next couple days.

SmileWavy

Wow, I'm tempted...

But dows the knob already includes the necessary bushing ?

Yes. Pretty much plug and play. Blue loc-tite is recommended for the set screws.

really love to own one, is it possible to get one to fit the Wevo shifters?

If you are referring to the Wevo classic line, then yes. If you have a billet version, then Dave and I have to discuss, as the billet version is fastened with a bolt thru the top of the knob

nice dave..............I may have to pick one up for my resto-mod teener.

regards,
Al

I have a Wevo knob from the billet version and have taken measurements. Just not sure how to adapt to it yet, as I prefer not to have bolt going through the top. Ideally, I'd like to get my hands on the billet shifter for a bit to play with ideas.

Wow, those are beautiful. I want to measure my shifter in the off road vehicle. I'm thinking that if the Momo steering wheel fits, I'm going to buy this shifter to go with it.

Good idea.....:p

Dave, let me know if you need to borrow my Wevo billet shifter. I'll yank it from my 911 and send it down to you if you need it.

Those things look great. Here's what the inspiration looked like.

http://blog.caranddriver.com/wp-cont...K-interior.jpg

The shifter is in the same position as the 962 -- and is easier to get used to than you might think.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1286934106.jpg

As I understand it, the 917's were balsa. And Porsche even drilled holes in the ignition keys to save weight. :eek:

I have two different wevo shifters. Both are for 915 transmissions.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1399934181.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1399934228.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1399934273.jpg

Re: balsa and the 917/908. I think the consensus is that the knob was designed more for insulation and not so much for weight reduction. I as understand it, the shift linkage was all metal in those cars and the heat transfer through it on long races was hot enough to feel it through the drivers gloves.

Rusnak, it's the black shifter I would like to get a hold of.

OK Dave. Tomorrow is going to be busy for me, but I can pull it from Wednesday on, box it up and send it to you for your shift knob mockup. Just send it back when you're done.

Slo
did n't tell u we hAve a billet wevo on the shelf for u to work with
;-)

That saves on shipping back back and forth! I'll be back in town late Wed. And can stop by the shop on Thurs.

The knobs with the anodized black bushings should be in the Pelican catalog in the next day or so.

Slodave, can you make them with satin poly finish?

Jeezus....welcome to MY world......

Not a problem. :)

They look great. Nice job!!

just got mine today... looks and feels awesome! Love it!
I went for the friction fit with black sleeve.
I'll upload a photo once I get my Momo Super Indy wheel installed.
Thanks Dave!

Sure! How deep is your bank account! :D

Thanks!

Great! Glad to hear it arrived so quickly. Please do post up pix! I need 'em.

Not the best pic... but here is one for now... Love the feel of the shift knob too. I ordered a friction finish.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1400316926.jpg

Looks great together! Enjoy!

Updates...

I got the Wevo billet shifter from TRE and am starting to work on a solution. I hope I have a prototype in the next day or so. But....

I need some recon. Rusnak, can you confirm that your billet shifter has external threads on the top, round part of the shaft. Anyone else that has the Wevo billet shifter as well. Thanks!

The knobs with the black anodized bushing should be in the catalog by now.... I'll send an email about getting a ETA on that. Hang tight!

I'm also going to start researching a bushing idea for the 924/944/964 crowd. I have to have a custom tool made before that can happen and I think it's going to be pricy. I'm going to a shop that can make the tool tomorrow to find out cost.

Slodave,

We have made two versions of the billet levers for the WEVO shifters.
There are about 1,000 of the originals in circulation, about 2,000 of the current version.
There is some cross compatibility, but not total.
email me and I can give you all the engineering data you need to make sure your product is as good as ours that its made to fit!

Hayden

Awesome, Hayden! I'll send an email when get home and on my laptop later.

Thanks!

Very nice of you Hayden......I've been using your shifter and 915 retainer plate for many years. Thanks.

Hayden is the MAN!!!! Good on you, sir. I enjoyed talking to you before I bought mine way back when.

I sent a PM to you, Hayden. Didn't have your email handy, though I suppose I could have guessed it. Thanks again!

Dave

Exciting news!

Although I won't be posting pix for a while. I've pretty much solved how the actual 917/908 knobs were made and what materials. The knobs are laminated and balsa was definitely used. Porsche also used another wood, almost thin like a veneer. It just so happens I have this particular wood. At least enough to make one or two knockoffs.

A fellow Pelican visited the museum a couple weeks ago and was gracious enough to take a bunch of pix for me. When I was there, I felt like I was being watched and blew the couple photos I took.

Awesome! Definitely going to get one of these.

So was the original 917 knob more of a satin finish or poly? Looks shinny in that one picture.

It's a little hard to tell what the finish on the original knobs looked like when new. The pix I have are of well used knobs. Based on the cracks in the finish and the yellowing, I'd say that the finish was originally a nitrocellulose laquer. Hard to say if the finish was a high gloss or satin or... I was really trying to figure out the wood/s and construction method, which I'm pretty sure I've figured out. I'm going to consult with my dad a little to see if he concurs.

I have to focus on the WEVO adaption and the 924/944/964 bushings first, but I will be figuring out the thicknesses of the each layer of the original 917 knobs and will attempt to turn one in the next week or so.

Once I have things figured out a little more and have started to produce one, I'll see if I can get permission from the Pelican that took the pix and post a few pix of the real knobs. Right now, these are the best pix I've seen out there and don't want them in public domain just yet.

WEVO prototype bushing done. The bushing will not have the 2 set screw holes in the shoulder like the 911 bushings. The bushing will fit both the 1st generation WEVO billet shifter and the 2nd generation. The bushing will use the threaded inner hole, like the WEVO Al knobs use. The wood knobs will simply twist on.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1400811393.jpg

That was fast.

Hehe, yes. :)

I drew up the concept a couple nights ago and had the above 95% done last night. I just needed to pick up a 14mm drill bit today to finish it up. If it involves round holes, I can do the prototypes in the woodshop. Not nearly as precision as CNC machines, but good enough to test with and have one that the machine shop can take measurements from and do their magic.

I'm starting to wish that I had a small metal lathe in the shop, so I could turn out small batches while waiting for the big production runs.

The Pelican catalog has been updated with the black anodized bushings.

Porsche 911 (1974-1989) - Shift Linkage - Page 2

SmileWavy