Slap-stick • The Dodge Challenger Message Board

by **Christer** » 03 Jan 2002 14:05

What is the correct colour of the push button? Is it black or wood-grain? As far as I understand this differs between Year One (Wood-grain) and Jim´s Auto parts (black).

by **dave-r** » 03 Jan 2002 15:06

I have seen the button on the 1970 shifter in both chrome (like mine) or black. Could one be for JS cars and the other for JH?

The knob itself should be woodgrain.

by **Johnny-d** » 03 Jan 2002 15:07

The one in my 71 is original and is black - but I am willing to bet not all of them were!

by **dave-r** » 03 Jan 2002 15:23

The knob or the button Johnny?

by **Johnny-d** » 03 Jan 2002 18:05

Let me walk out an take a look . . .

by **johnny-d** » 03 Jan 2002 18:08

OOPS! The handle and shifter are black (plastic)and the knob is Chrome. Sorry bout dat . . .

by **dave-r** » 03 Jan 2002 18:33

Oh! Wait a moment. I just realised you said yours was a '71 model Johnny. They were all black plastic 'T' handled shifters from 1971. The 1970 model was a round woodgrain knob with a black or chrome button in the top. This is what Christer is refering to I think. (I can't remember what year model Challenger you have Christer!)

by **johnny-d** » 03 Jan 2002 20:05

Was the model with a knob a slap stick? I don't believe I have ever seen a 70 w/an automatic so I didn't realize there was a difference. Learn something new every day . . .

by **dave-r** » 03 Jan 2002 20:21

Same trans - different knob.

by **Christer** » 04 Jan 2002 6:58

My Challenger is a ´70. I forgot to mention that earlier. Sorry!
Yes, I agree with you Dave, that the knob itsef should be woodgrain.
Looks like we have three possible colours/materials of the knob: Black, woodgrain or chrome.
I believe that the black button is most common because I have seen pictures of cars with this knob.
I also believe that there is a misprint in Year One´s catalogue and that they have mistaken the colour of the knob with the colour of the button.
I have never seen or heard of a chrome button. Have you seen it in any other car than yours, Dave?

by **dave-r** » 04 Jan 2002 8:34

Yes I have. Always in R/T cars so thats why I wondered if it was an R/T thing. Something to look out for come the summer shows I think.

by **dave-r** » 05 Jan 2002 15:15

Here is my old shifter. Note the button is chrome.

The shifter knob and steering wheel were worn when I bought the car so I painted them with some thick brown varnish I found in my garage!

by **Christer** » 05 Jan 2002 16:47

Thanks for the photo!

I also own a Callenger model of the same colour. Mine is made by ERTL and is in scale 1/18. It is nice to buy a complete model. I can live without messing around with glue and all that.

by **dave-r** » 05 Jan 2002 17:33

That's what that one is! I also have the red hemi with the shaker. A small child ripped the hood off this one so it is in the garage for repair. Looks small next to the shifter doesn't it? Wide angle lens does not help the scale.

by **Christer (Christer)** » 13 Aug 2002 10:38

Anything new in this matter?
(Which is the correct colour of the slap-stick shifter button?
I am simply curious, nothing else...)

by **Dave-R (Roppa440)** » 13 Aug 2002 11:27

Err. No. I forgot to look for that in other cars at shows. Sorry!

by **Dave-R (Roppa440)** » 04 Apr 2003 12:53

CALLING ALL AUTOMATIC 1970 CHALLENGER OWNERS!

Myself and Christer want to know the colour of the button on your 1970 slapstick shifters.

I keep forgetting to look when I see other '70s!

Please respond and also say which model '70 Challenger you have i.e. R/T or SE etc.

by **Craig (Craigdansky)** » 04 Apr 2003 18:25

I have a 1970 R/T and the ball is a brown with a woodgrain look to it.

by **Jack T (Jackt)** » 05 Apr 2003 2:59

The button is black on the round 1970 AT shifter. The model does not matter - all of them were the same.

by **Dave-R (Roppa440)** » 05 Apr 2003 11:25

So why is mine not black? Has the paint just worn off or something?

Craig. It is the button on the top of the 'ball' I am interested in.

by **Robbert D 70'Chally (** » 05 Apr 2003 14:51

Just went out to check for you:
JH23N08 1970, "French" Challenger. Non SE, non R/T, all R/T options, except exterior.

Shifter knob is brownish, but not woodgrain like the steering wheel, dash panel, console panel and doorpanels.
Wait I walk outside again. Ok, it has a woody, say woodnerve like surface, but not the elements of black and diversity (or variations) of brown in it like the panels. Looks a lot like Dave's knob, only slightly lighter, "monochrome" brown almost with a touch of what we call "old-pink". It has not been painted over. Would you describe yours as woodgrain Dave? Oh I wish I had a digital camera...

Button is black. Wait, once more to the Challenger... I can see 3 "rings" in the upper surface of yours, Dave. In mine there is only one. I would say yours isn't a black one that lost its paint.

by **Dave-R (Roppa440)** » 05 Apr 2003 15:02

OK.
Please everybody.

We are not discussing the woodgrain knob. We all agree the knob is woodgrain. Mine has been painted over with a colored varnish to match the steering wheel which was done the same because it was so worn. That is why that bit looks a funny color.

It is only the push-button on the top of the knob we are interested in. Mine is chrome with circles in the top. It is starting to look like it is not original. If so what is it off and why would it be different?

by **Robbert D 70'Chally (** » 05 Apr 2003 15:46

Well, I am sorry. I was discussing both the knob and the button. I would not only like to know how come Daves' button is different. I also wonder if you would describe my knob as "woodgrain" as I described it (I wouldn't, nor would I Daves'), or that I maybe do not perfectly understand the word woodgrain. It is not in my Dutch-English dictionary. You don't want me to start a knob-thread do you?

by **Robbert D 70'Chally (** » 05 Apr 2003 16:43

Paul Herd says in his Challenger & Barracuda Restauration Guide:
"The 1970 model used a similar design to he 1969 lever, both used the same walnut knob and black relase button, but the shift lever assembly on the 1970 models is straighter".
(as he refers to 69: in 69 Barracudas the chrome diecast releaseknob was replaced by a black plasic button: "Using the wrong one si a common mistake in restauration as most reproduction companies sell the knobs an matchin buttons together. Having the proper knob can mean additional points at a shwoing or event where the judge knows the car well").
Myself I don't know the A-body's shifter though, and in what way it differs from ours.

by **Jack T (Jackt)** » 06 Apr 2003 1:42

Knobs and buttons..... buttons and knobs...... Folks, the button is the thing here and you're all driving poor Dave to distraction with dissertations about the knobs. Distraction in Dave's case is just around the corner, so please limit this to discussing the button on the 1970 AT slapstick shifter. It's black in all the cases that I know of and can find out about. It has one circular groove on the top with a radius that's about 1/8" smaller than that of the button. Dave, if I see one at the Spring Fling, I'll get it for you.

by **Dave-R (Roppa440)** » 06 Apr 2003 14:59

You would think I would have noticed that someone had been messing with my knob?

Don't worry about it Jack. The one I have is fine. It will make an interesting talking point at parties.....

by **NZ440R/T** » 01 Mar 2004 17:19

Chrome color painted. :wink:

by **ted** » 04 Mar 2004 18:59

avoid Jim's autoparts.

Christer wrote: What is the correct colour of the push button? Is it black or wood-grain? As far as I understand this differs between Year One (Wood-grain) and Jim´s Auto parts (black).

by **NZ440R/T** » 05 Mar 2004 4:13

Yip stay wellllll clear of Jims auto parts, bloody ar$e holes robbed me of about $500USD!!!! Plus he has a grumpy wife.

by **moparmaniac (owner4)** » 05 Mar 2004 4:55

The actual push button, on all the original cars I've had or seen, is black. The round knob is woodgrain with a chrome ring around the push button and base where the set screw holds it to the shaft.