wood shift knob project
 

I got sick of trying to find a knob that I liked and was the same thread size as the 7's and got even more tired of messing with knobs with set screws that kept loosening and boogered up my threads so I started this small project. My pops found this sweet old 4 speed wood grain knob with stripped out threads. And I fricken love that this is for a completely different shift pattern and not even for a 5 speed. gives it some character. :) So we took apart an old busted up rx7 knob I had, I always wanted to see how they were made so I got that chance. Heres a cutaway....
Attachment 620544

So we grinded and sanded till we got the threaded core of the 7's knob to fit into the new knob and pressed it in and just for added security gave it some 5minute epoxy. I left the excessive portion there till I finish the staining and polishing and then ill trim it to size. gives me something to hold while working it. lol

Attachment 620545
Attachment 620546

As of tonight im only as far as the sanding and staining down. But I should have it done or close to done by this weekend. Will be really nice to be able to just screw this thing on and not mess around, and should compliment my mahogany momo steering wheel nicely..... MAN I LOVE WOODGRAIN!!!!

Attachment 620547

I've got an original wood knob (aftermarket) from way back in the day if you want to see what it looks like for reference. Also have the period MOMO wood knob (again from back in the day) if you want to see that one also (it's not round).

Neat project. Here's one of my old school Mazda knobs.

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/...psyi7cow5s.jpg

http://i1133.photobucket.com/albums/...psebz14e8y.jpg

I gotta see them both!

That's a really cool Mazda knob. .... What did that originally come on?

I believe it was from an RX-3 but I could be wrong. I bought a bunch of stuff from a retied Mazda mechanic and this was in one of the boxes.

wood shift knob project
 

Looks beautiful man.

The Miata SE came with a wood Nardi knob. I'm not sure if it fits the 1st gen RX-7, but it is a factory Mazda part. :)

https://i.kinja-img.com/gawker-media...6ezugz6ijr.jpg
https://i388.photobucket.com/albums/...roptorino1.jpg

That knob is sweet! It have the 6 speed pattern on top or just smooth wood? You happen to be in the mood to sell it?? Lol

Thanks man. ..... Still in the process of getting the clear coat right. ... got about 6 or 7 layers so far but have to keep sanding to level out any imperfections. .. But getting there.

I was looking at getting one of the Nardi shift knobs, ended up with one from an Rx8 to match the interior.

I did get the Miata wood e-brake handle and I even found the lighter. Very hard to locate.

The Momo's (Super Indy) has date of manufacture stamped, 1985, same as the 7.

Heres it so far, pretty close.
Attachment 620459

They're pretty expensive these days and getting harder and harder to find.

Nardi Miata MX 5 Wood Shift Knob Mint | eBay

Lets hope they don't end up like the speaker covers for the '93 LE, which are crazy expensive and impossible to wrestle away from anybody.

I've got so many questions! Where you get the color matching pieces for the door panels, where the center console arm rest come from? You able to hook up all the electric accessories for the Rx8 seats and how much of a pain was it to get those in there? And the shifter knob the same threads and what was needed to fit the e-brake handle?! Like I said so many questions! Haha

Nice work, im a woodworker by trade so you just gave me a great IDEA!!!! :icon_tup:

If you start making custom wooden shift knobs I want on that list!

Tape removed. ...

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...6c6f06f938.jpg

Here it is beside the momo.... I have to redo the leather shift boot cause I didnt give it enough slack but you get the idea. The color of the knob darkens or lightens depending on the angle your looking at it but it isn't all that far from the stain on the wheel. I will also have to find another way of locking the knob down other than the factory shift knob locking nut/shift boot lock nut cause im not too crazy about the way they meet eack other but when I redo the boot maybe Ill just have it cover that as well and pinch it in between. Thanks for all the input everyone!

Attachment 620360
Attachment 620361
Attachment 620362

wood shift knob project
 

Looks beautiful.

Thanks kutukutu1..... And also thanks for the awesome headlight bushing kit. .... Life saver kit right there!

wood shift knob project
 

Thanks man. We need more aftermarket 1st gen support.

That turned out awesome! I saw this cigarette lighter on eBay, it would be sweet if you could do something like this with a wooden knob as well.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c60a6bb2be.png

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...79ee197ca3.png

http://www.ebay.com/ulk/itm/252099954777

Thanks! And that is a snazzy cig lighter. ... know if that is an original piece? And you mean to do the real old Mazda logo on a knob? Had my friend make this in machine class years ago. ....
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.rx7...c0e5042705.jpg