Gated shifter: Why?

Is there a reason (other than "it looks exotic") that Ferrari's have gated shifters?

I'm guessing it has something to do with the racing heritage and tradition, because you wouldn't add frilly stuff like leather shift boots. Or maybe it's so you're always going to find the right gear - but Porsche didn't feel the need and I don't see P-car drivers stalling out at every light...

It would be nice to give a real explanation to people who ask me.

 

It is much easier to find the right gear(especially if you are not looking) and it looks a whole better and that it the way they have always done it.

When I drive my dad's BMW 328i 5-speed, finding reverse is a biotch.

 

It's just tradition anymore. At one time it helped racers select the correct gear consistently, but that need is long gone. Moving a stick through the gate is a part of the Ferrari experience now.

Dave

 

yeah, what he said.

 

As has already been said its a racing heritage thing, although next time your at a conkers have a look how many of the pre daytona road going cars have the open gate and how many have a leather boot

 

The lack of a gated shifter was one of the many reasons I didn't buy a GTC/4. I like the "snick" you get when you shift gears in a Ferrari.

 

In my porsche I always hated it when going for the uphill pass, and shifted from 2nd to 5th. AARARRGGH!

 

It's true, the gate is actually an excellent visual aid. Maybe I should have asked why mainstream carmakers don't use it - I mean, BMW and Porsche make performance cars with gates.

I guess Ferrari's design is a happy historical holdover.

 

I second that.

I think it's racing heritage and tradition. Remember alot of older racer cars did not have synchro's either. I'm sure the metal gate help find the right gears in that situation.

 

racing function gives way to tradition, gives way to looking realy great. Strange though that a lot of the earlier ferrari's had the leather boot instead of the gate. IE: 410 Superfast, 410 Superamerica, and most of the 250 series.

 

Generally, the road cars with a rear transaxle get the gated shifter. For some odd reason, UK Daytonas got the leather boot instead of the gated shifter.

-steve

 

Isn't it because the gate is used to guide the shifter (rather than internal bumpstops)?

 

Edit: BMW and Porsche DON'T make performance cars with gates...

 

Although it can make you slow at selecting gears sometimes,i love it

 

And they also make cars with cupholders. BMW and Porsches are more likely to be used as daily drivers, which for many people means the threat of spilled coffee and crumbs.

Gated shifters and Cinnabun drive-thru don't go together.

 

The gate looks cool...my 330 2+2 shifts crisply with a nice snick when the gearbox is warm but that boot is wussy luxury cruiser.

 

A lot of the newer one have SMGs.

 

gated shifters are cool, very helpfull. Also i like my Reverse in my V-Dub, to the left of 1st gear, which i like a lot




E

 

I love the gate shifter, feeling the vibration of the engine and gearbox, going through the gates hearing that click. I tried the paddles and hated it, I was not comfortable looking for the paddle when turning, it seemed like my right hand was in the way but way down on the console to me is easier.

Maybe its me but it makes me feel like im driving an automatic…

~


“I dont sell cars, I sell engines. The cars I throw in for free since something has to hold the engine” - Enzo Ferrari

 

THIS is a solid argument.

Yes/yes. So why don't any other manufacturers (except Lambo, which emulates Ferrari) use it? I think the Cinnabon Theory articulated above is so far the most compelling.

 

..Besides looks...the leather shift boot doesnt have to be replaced...and the gate shines nicely. Plus...the nicely engraved shift gate is way better than having a shift knob with embossed gear/reverse.

the only flaw is that certain things can fall in the tiny cracks...doritos pieces for those who eat in their Ferrari and other debris.

 

Wow, Doritos in the shiftbox, do you get that satisfying crunch when shifting into second?

 

>>>In my porsche I always hated it when going for the uphill pass, and shifted from 2nd to 5th.

Or from 5th to 2nd, as my NSX buddy did at Laguna Seca and destroyed his engine.

 

having owned bmw 5 speeds in the past, I could NEVER go back to one now. You just gotta love that clicking noise the shifter makes...
gordon

 

Panteras had 'em. I think that was a marketing thing.