Swirled Glass Shift Knobs

[Lona]

I often see Model A's and other vintage cars at shows with multicolored swirled glass shift knobs. If fact, my '31 Chrysler came with one when I bought it. I know these knobs were not factory stock but were they common during the era these cars were built? Or, are they just a recent fad among older car owners?

Glen

 

[Jim Brierley]

Not rare, but not common either. They were readily available at stores like the Pep Brothers, Western Auto, etc. I got the one in my wide-bed out of a wrecking yard, it sorta fell into my pocket as I was walking by.

 

[abachman3]

Somewhat common in the model A's in my local clubs. Three of my cars have aftermarket knobs. They are available for about $25.00 and up, depending on the vendor. Many of the ones you find now are relatively new reproductions, but that's alright with me.

 

[Purdy Swoft]

We like the swirl colored glass gear shift knobs and use them on all but one of our model A's . I did save the original knobs .

 

[Brad in Germany]

The swirl shift knobs were available in the Model A era as an accessory.

Now-a-days, you can buy them at many of the large parts venders and even on Amazon. Here for example is the link to the one Berts sells:
https://modelastore.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=3701

Snyders offers two different shapes (round and mushroom):
https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/...E-WHITE-MUSHROOM?fromCategory=SearchByKeyword

Brad in Maryland

 

[30 Closed Cab PU]

So does someone have an answer to the poster's question - were they available in the 30s? I don't klnow.

 

[CWPASADENA]

Yes,
Like other upgrades, these were available in the day.

Chris W

 

[DBSHELTON]

I just took an 8 ball and drilled and tapped it for my Huckster. Took a 9 ball and machined a recess for a small clock and drilled and tapped the other side for my Tudor.

 

[Tacoma Bob]

I found one in my Dad's garage that is 70 plus years old. I put it on our Tudor years ago.

 

[chrs1961815]

I once met a guy who almost got in an accident with his 'A' and gripped his glass knob so hard it shattered in his hand. Turns out he didn't need the car accident to go to the emergency room.

 

[marty in Ohio]

I had one but accidently dropped it on the garage floor. They're not very forgiving.
Marty

 

[PalAl]

Or you could go with "Chicago Gangster Era"..................

 

[Hoop]

"So does someone have an answer to the poster's question - were they available in the 30s? I don't know."

Prior to WW2 a lot of glass was made using uranium, usually uranium dioxide. This helped produce a variety of colors and shines,

This practice was halted because of the war, but now helps date vintage glass.

Glass with uranium in it will glow when exposed to black light and is very distinctive. If you do not have a black light, many antique shops use them in displays and shouldn't mind checking your shift knobs.

So, yes, some were made in the 1930's and ... and generally are considered more desirable and valuable (of course).

 

[Bob Bidonde]

I have seen advertisements of the 1920s and 1930s for the glass swirl shift knobs, so they are vintage accessories.

 

[Jack Shaft]

Shifter? the cap from the bottle of tequila we were sampling when discussing the direction of the cars build..

 

[Purdy Swoft]

The first swirled color gearshift knob that I remember was in the early sixties and was on a 1950 Ford pickup . I didn't like the swirl colored knob at first but now I like and use them .

 

[Brad in Germany]

Here's an era advertisement from the September 1928 issue of Ford Dealer and Service Field magazine from a company offering their "Onyx Gear Shift Balls":

Brad in Maryland

 

[1931 flamingo]

I had one on my 32, the 40 has a large black dice w/white spots on the 39 ******.
Paul in CT

 

[Pete]

Glass has class and wood is good. My roadster knob. 3 inches in diameter.

 

[rocket1]

When I purchased my ccpu in 61 it came with a glass shift knob it also has a brass adapter in it to fit the A shaft.