I’ve tried to keep my 1990 Mk 1 as original as possible but I’m starting to wonder whether I might change the gear knob. It’s the original plastic one, which after 112k miles is as shiny as a boiled sweet! I’ve got the original leather MOMO wheel and I like it, can anyone tell me if there is an original Mazda leather gear knob available please? Even better, does anyone have one they would like to sell me? I’ve been told the replica ones on eBay can be wobbly after a while.
When I acquired my Roadster it had an aftermarket Momo wooden gear knob and steering wheel. The Momo knob is too light, so I swapped it for a pool ball but the thread broke up in this. I swapped the wooden steering wheel for an OE leather Momo item and also fitted a good (non-shiny), used OE plastic gear knob. I think that the metal weight in the OE plastic item gives just the right throw for the gear lever.
I’ve got an OEM Mazda one from my 94 mk1 - rubberised, nice heavy one. You can have it for postage.
However, the reason I’ve got it going spare is I’ve fitted an eBay sourced pool-ball one. Cost me under a tenner, and it’s got weight, heft, a great feel and it can be used palm flat down or pistol grip. Honestly, I’ve tried standard, Momo and a load of others and this is the, well, Nutz. Cheap, too. It’s really bloody pleasing, I love it. I’ve got an 8 ball, but an orange 5 ball might be cool too.
For reference, the hole you need drilled in a pool ball is M10-1.25 pitch, 30mm depth.
The guy I got mine from was called “jake-bullet-cybernetics” or similar on eBay, top guy.
Fair point mate, but I don’t generally use the car in the colder months, when we have gone out for a sunny winters day spin it’s lovely once the transmission tunnel has warmed through as the gearknob gets quite warm!
I like the fact its weighty so feels really substantial.
Thought i was imagining the slicker gear change so glad you confirmed my thoughts!