Can anyone provide a photo of an original ML gear knob and tell me what it is made of? Is it wood or Bakelite ? Does anyone have one that could possibly lend me to copy? Cheers John

I'll take an image of my knob later John (ooh - err Missus !! ) and post today .......I think it's wood rather than the rather fragile bakelite, and not completely round......I'll do the measurements too....

John....and other ML owners....here's details of my original knob !!!

Made from WOOD (Mrs M would agree.... ).....no, seriously, wooden construction, NOT bakelite......and lacquered black.......

Measures 12.2cm around the centre and no central "rim"......height is exactly 12cm around top to bottom to not quite a "ball"......

Attached images show the item.......noted that the original gear lever here is marked with the part number "ML 43" and you can see the original cadmium plate beneath the green.......in restoring this the cad finish will re-emerge as in good condition........

You should have a look at the door knobs in B and Q they do a variety of knobs in hardwood that you could maybe saw off its mount and just sand the bottom of it. Try to avoid the softwood ones such as pine. I found one there for my Flea

email (option): davmax@ntlworld.com

I was thinking exactly the same Dave !!! But at least the measurements of an original give something to go on......

Hi Steve, many thanks for this. It looks just like the one on my Normandy ML except that mine has no traces of paint or lacquer on it. However, after 65 years in a damp barn in Cormelles Le Royal I'm not too surprised. Cheers, John