Sorry to bother everyone with this, but I have replaced my original gearshift knob with a dark walnut knob that has a growler in the center. The concourse rule book stated that the original black knob is sometimes replaced with a leather knob with growler, but said nothing about a wood knob. I did not receive deduction for this at last concourse, but know that it is up to the judges discretion and interpertation. Should I put the original knob back on for this weekends concourse (the white paint showing the shift pattern has long since worn off) or keep the wooden knob on?
Thank You,
John Putnick

69 E-Type 2+2
Hickory, NC

Submitted by douplayalong@y… on Tue, 09/14/2004 - 15:54

If I where you I would call XK's Unlimited and get a orginal shifter knob sent to you ASAP. Whom ever judged your car was in a hurry or just missed it. Once you think, just cause one judge missed it sure as heck doesnt mean the next one will, believe me from experience! Good luck.

Scott Fitzgerald
67 XKE-OTS
88 XJS Coupe

Submitted by jklein@genphys… on Tue, 09/14/2004 - 08:46

John,

This is another of the many examples of inconsistencies associated with concours judging. I was docked for a wooden knob at my first show and have not used it at a show since. Clearly wood IS incorrect and there should be a deduction applied. However, why the judging guide suggests that leather with a growler should be accepted is beyond me? No SII cars were delivered that way (at least certainly not in 1969, MAYBE a few of the 1971 cars) so why do we allow it? To me to say that you've got to have Cheney clamps but you can have a leather shift knob just shows that this is all rather arbitrary?

Jeff Klein
1970 OTS, BRG