Period correct shifters?

[JRC99]

Are there any that haven't changed for autos? I *think* the B&M StarShifter might be, but Dad hates them. Says he saw people run them back in the day and they never worked right.

[DW31S]

I used a Star Shifter in a mid-11 second '69 Chevelle back in the early '80s and it performed flawlessly for me. At the time, I used a forward pattern Turbo 400. That shifter never let me down and was approved by NHRA tech as having a positive reverse lock-out. Pretty sure they are still making them today.

[whitetop]

Originally Posted by JRC99

Are there any that haven't changed for autos? I *think* the B&M StarShifter might be, but Dad hates them. Says he saw people run them back in the day and they never worked right.

All different.. Best to go to Ebay por swap and find a mint correct used one.

[1967Z28]

If you want a vintage type of shifter... http://www.ebay.com/itm/HURST-AUTOST...-/201940651685

[NorCam]

I used to like the old megashifter ratchets but they normally only work good when they're kinda new. Since those old days I have tried the newer Bandit shifters which work really great but they don't have that old school look.

[68l30]

Wow...I remember those. I think I installed one in everyones car but mine. Never thought of it as a better option than my factory floor shifter.

Best auto shifter was the 2nd gen F body factory dual gate. Nobody knew about them and they worked great!

BIG

[Jim Ferron]

I always thought those massive automatic shifters were not sure how to say this diplomatically, for those who didn't know the difference between real and fake...

That hurst autoshift [ebay auction above] was the BOMB. B&M made a shifter called a series 60 shifter. Of course a Hurst His and Her's was always cool...But the big shifters trying to look like a four speed...ugh.

[1967Z28]

Originally Posted by Jim Ferron

...But the big shifters trying to look like a four speed...ugh.

You're my hero, Jim.

[scuncio]

I have to say I never understood the lure of an aftermarket ratchet shifter. If Nick Scavo could run in the 9s (8s?) with a column automatic....

[PxTx]

My gut is telling me if you made two lists of racers running automatic transmissions of the type which could have been configured with a column shifter, the ratio would be way off.


Those who have won with a colum shifter vs those who have won with an aftermarket ratchet shifter.

There is value in removing chance and using a consistent system. Probably why automatic transmission tend to be faster than the equivalent manual these days.