Whalen Shift Machine Shift Knob

While the shift knob on the Mini looks pretty cool, it is anything but cool in the Arizona heat. The chrome ring was downright hot!
I learned about Doug Whalen and Whalen Shift Machine from the MINI2 online BBS. They had several different models, but the one that caught my eye was of a billiard ball. It was the #1 ball and yellow. I had to have it for my Mini. I exchanged emails with Whalen and found out that the billiard ball was a one-off that he had done and that it was still available and he'd sell it to me. We agreed on a price and soon after, the shift knob showed up.
The shift knob is an actual billiard ball, made of a phenolic resin. This proved to be a great improvement as far as heat goes. I can jump in the car on the hottest day and not worry about burning my hand. The mounting mechanism is a work of art. It interfaces precisely with the Mini shifter. All other shift knobs that I looked at used "universal" adapters that relied on set screws and other devices to hold them in place. These just fell short for optimal mounting. The Whalen knobs are built to fit only the Mini.

Here are some installation pictures.

(Click on any of the images below to see a larger version)

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Stock. Not bad, but the chrome ring was too hot.		First step is to remove the stock knob. Grasp it tightly and pull straight up. It will just pop off. Just make sure your face is not in the way. I missed my face but others have not.
Stock knob removed. Note slot in the top of the shifter.		Knew Whalen Shift Machine shift knob.
Here is the secret to the great fit of the Whalen Shift Machine shift knob. This ring slips up and allows the knob to slip right on the shifter and lock in to place.		The ring is held up and the shift knob is slid in to place, There is an indexing shaft in the knob that lines up with the slot in the shifter (see previous pic). Just push the shift knob down and rotate to line up the indexing shaft to the slot in the shifter, push down a little more, then release the ring. The shift knob is then locked in place.
New knob installed.		Another view.

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