Hello,
Firstly, I may have the wrong gearknob for my car, it wouldn't be the first item that was awry!
Anyway, you cannot really see it, but the insert, within the leather, has split horizontally, right at the top of where it threads onto the gear stick. You can just see a faint ripple in the leather halfway down the chamfered section.
So:
A - Is this the correct gear knob?
B - Is either the knob, or insert, easily replaceable, before I embark on a thorough restoration?
Thanks, Tom
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I am pretty sure that's the original shifter knob for a Pantera. The vendors sell a similar knob that is made from aluminum. At this point the wrappings on most of the original knobs have deteriorated. I recently had one reupholstered at a local shop for $20. Here is a picture of it.
Excellent, well I am pleased that mine is original.
So I probably need to have a copy of the insert made up, perhaps on a lathe, then get it retrimmed. I thought this might be a restoration.
Unless of course anyone can suggest where I might source a replacement insert or entire gearknob?
Thanks, Tom
Some Pantera vendors have reconditioned or maybe new ones in stock; dunno what's underneath and you shouldn't care either. Eons ago, PI magazine published an article about recovering one at home in leather or leatherette, with a pattern in the article. If you're handy, find the copy, cut out the pattern on the material of choice and glue it on but don't use blast-proof adhesive, in case the result isn't what you'd like! Because of the tight curves needed to fit closely to the plastic insert, the weight/thickness of the covering is critical (which is also a factor in its operating life). And if there's a street-rod upholstering shop in your area, take the old knob (with the stock covering on it) and ask them how much to do the job.
