I believe generic auto shift knobs work. I've seen them for sale by more than one of our list vendors. One particular one looked like a tall cylinder with a release button on top. Nice for those with shorter arms.

BenT
sent from my electronic leash

> On Feb 11, 2014, at 6:42 PM, Stuart MacMillan <stuartmacm@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> 
> Winter doldrums prompt all sorts of off the wall requests, and this is one
> of them.
> 
> 
> 
> The shift handle for the Vanagon automatic transmission is a piece of
> plastic junk.  Looks like crap, and 30 years of sun exposure turns it into
> dust.
> 
> 
> 
> I think there may be a market, all be it small, for a nice wood or metal
> version. Making one out of an exotic hardwood would be easy for a good wood
> carver, and I'd pay up to $100 for one, and maybe some will pay more for
> custom designs.
> 
> 
> 
> It's a two piece unit with a sliding button on one end for the reverse lock
> out, and it should be much larger than it is to be ergonomic (you do have to
> shift a lot climbing hills!).  I have a photo as well as the real thing to
> send to anyone who wants to take this on.
> 
> 
> 
> Any takers, or do you know someone who crafts wood or metal that might be
> interested?
> 
> 
> 
> Stuart
> 
> '85 Westy A/T (too much traffic here, I'm now shiftless)