Chrome shifter knob

[69Z28]

What do you all think about the the chrome knob being offered?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/231014602536?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[JoeC]

they don't say if it is magnetic or non-magnetic like the originals

I had a few originals and they had small notches on the undercut

[69Z28]

I thought the originals were aluminum.

[69pace]

I think the originals like so many trim parts of the era were the recycled factory slag magic mix known as Pot Metal.

[sam81663]

  Looks just like the one Heartbeat sells. I have one of theirs. 1.718 diameter, very heavy but non-magnetic, right around 5 ounces. I wish I had a real one. 

[69pace]

LOL I learned the hard way that a aftermarket Hurst white plastic ball is your friend with convertibles.
The metal ball when the top is down is hotter then the surface of the sun in your paw.
Think some heat is transferred from the drive train as well as the solar radiation the ball picks up just by sitting in direct sunlight.
So I often leave my plastic on all the time.
   

[tmodel66]

LOL I learned the hard way that a aftermarket Hurst white plastic ball is your friend with convertibles.
The metal ball when the top is down is hotter then the surface of the sun in your paw.
Think some heat is transferred from the drive train as well as the solar radiation the ball picks up just by sitting in direct sunlight.
So I often leave my plastic on all the time.
   

I have my White replacement ball on and it will stay. You are so correct that chrome ball is hotter than a 2 dollar pistol.

[69houdini]

Other than it was hot, and the Hurst T handle, why did so many owners replace the chrome ball? I must see more than 50% of the cars with consoles with replaced ball handles, a lot of stated Original/Restored Cars also are restored without the chrome ball, is this just a bad oversight or could you tell the Dealer you wanted a different colored ball shifter when ordering your car? Just asking...curios.

[69pace]

The pot metal was poor quality to begin with and lost its ability to shine after hand oils had their way a few years down the road.
I found one jammed in the ashtray in one 69. My brother had a t handle on his GTO guess it is what you want it to be for comfort.

[tmodel66]

The threads strip out pretty easy and it pulls off the shifter into your hand too. I don't like the T-handle and me personally think they belong on a pulpwood truck but .........

[JoeC]

I don't think they were made of pot metal for two reasons. I used to work with pot metal castings and we always had trouble with air pockets and weak threads. The OEM ball does not have those issues. They look to be made of aluminum to me.

The problem with the OEM ball was the chrome came off. Most of the originals I have seen, had chrome pealing off.

They do get hot in summer and cold in winter.

here is a pic showing the notches in an original