My 1st gear is now offset about 2 inches forward and to the left, with a good 2 inches diagonal play while it's in gear. 2nd gear feels like its offset a little to the left, but not as much, and the rest of the gears feel normal. To shift from 1st to 2nd requires a down-in-down-out-down movement. They now have about 1/2 inche clearance from the handbrake.

The rubber boots are slightly torn from the excessive throw, and it looks like the pendulum ball is moving forward/left a bit. The shifter feels rather loose and light, but it's not coming out of gear. All the screws/bolts visible when I lift up the rubber boots seem fine.

Is this behaviour consistent with worn bushes (even though 3rd-5th/reverse are normal). If not, could something further down be loose? Any ideas?

The problem's only developed since I got the car back from the shop this morning, for unrelated work.. which is questionable in itself. Anyway, gonna go to a mates place tomorrow and check it out more thoroughly as I have no tools..

 

shifter bushings most likely not in place, worn or incorrectly installed....