Correct 328 shifter knob

I've always wondered why there are white and red lettering in the shifter knobs and which one is correct for my 328 ?
There is a chrome ball in mine but want to put back the correct one.

Red or white ?

 

The white one

 

My bone-stock U.S.-spec 1988 328GTB has a shift knob with orange numbers:

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As you can see, this knob has seen better days so I recently bought a replacement from Hill Engineering…an exact copy of the original in terms of size, color and font.


Alan
N.J.

 

A good resource for you to use for such questions is Maranello Classic Parts (the official "older" F part supplier) as they often have pictures of the part. Here's the 328 shift knob 128529:

https://www.ferrariparts.co.uk/part/ferrari/128529

https://www.ferrariparts.co.uk/diagram/ferrari/328-gtb-gts-(1985)/029-outside-gearbox-controls

 

Orange is correct, to match the dash and console gauges. Somebody somewhere made one with red numbers, because I have one like that. No idea where it came from, but it's not original and I replaced it with the orange one several months ago.

 

+ 1.
The correct shifter knob for the 328 has orange numbers.

Rgds

 

red/ Orange.... eventually they all look grimy .... use face cleaner wipes and a tooth pick to clean them out...

 

Orange for 328 and Mondial t. White for TR, GTO and Mondial 3.2

 

TR, GTO and Mondial 3.2 all had orange gauges and white shift knob numbering. That is not why 328 had orange.

 

I always thought the gauges was why the 328 shifter numbers are orange. To match.

What is the real reason for this?

 

Some stylist though it looked better. All the cars had orange instruments.

 

My 328’s shifter knob is only a couple years old but it looks dull. Are they supposed to be shiny like a 308 or have a more brushed/anodized look?

 

Personally I never liked the look of the original knob, always liked the chrome one, feels great

 

Well that's not correct.

 

Funny I found your post here as I start my search for the original black knob! Someday the blue 328 will have the right knob!

 

As noted above, Hill Engineering has created an amazing replica for under $100. It is likely a more modern resin and not the original Bakelite plastic. It would be hard to tell online (ebay etc. which are replicas vs. the original). Many sell it with a markup as the original... just go to the source!

As per removal - release the lock nut (turn following the threads down to the gates), as it's not actually a part of the knob. The knob will screw off by hand the opposite direction (lefty loosey from above). You can even play your height preferences on reinstall. If you want to return to the previous height, you can place a thin piece of tape or rubber band on the threads after releasing the lock nut, before unscrewing the knob.

 

And it seems they went back to white for the 348, right?

 

Thank you @sltillim! As I got the notification of your reply, I was just ordering said knob via Hill Engineering! I'll post a pic once I have it installed.