Sports car gear knob, transmission shift pattern mouse mat

This is the classic 901 racing gearbox shift pattern, also called “dog leg”. Many air-cooled 911 racing cars used this shifter layout because it kept first gear away from the rest. 5th gear (or the top gear) was in line with 4th, which made it very practical on the race track, especially the Nurburgring Nordschleife and Le Mans. Racing drivers loved it because it meant the four most used gears were at hand, while first was safely stowed away with reverse. Modern stick gearboxes don’t look like this any more. The transmission in a modern sports car is different in the sense that it has more gears and the pattern is not of the dog leg type. Also, tiptronic, sequential or double-clutch systems have taken over and you even see it in race cars. This vintage gear knob is for classic air-cooled lovers, especially those who drove or raced the famous flat-six 911 auto, or simply anyone with fond memories of the old dog-leg tranny. If you have a classic car or knows someone who likes driving or racing a vintage race car, consider this unique automotive gift.