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Thu Jul 24, 2025 3:51 pm

I have a silver t-handle Gene Berg gear shift from a beetle that hasn't been on the road since 2000. How much do these go for used? I can't find any useful info to figure out how to price it. Thanks for any help.

Thu Jul 24, 2025 5:21 pm

I’d say gauge it by what a brand new one goes for and what condition it is in. I have the locking shifter in my bug and wouldn’t sell it.

Thu Jul 24, 2025 8:57 pm

This will probably be unwelcome, but honest:

Used parts are always tough to move at a price the seller thinks is reasonable. I assure you, I have been in this situation where the market doesn't value parts like I do.

Brand new Berg shifters hover around the $300 mark. That comes with a guarantee straight from Berg, and they'll stand behind it. And it's in as-new condition.

If yours has been on a non-operable car for the last 25 years, it better be absolutely pristine to fetch, I'd hazard a guess, $150 to $175. There's no real reason to pay any more under the best of circumstances.

If it has ANY corrosion, scratches, wear, reverse interlock cable problems, or whatever, it will be far less. And if someone buys a used Berg part, from anyone, Berg is under no obligation to warranty it in any way, shape, or form. The market prices pitfalls like that in.

There are folks in the classifieds who list older Berg parts as "vintage" and try to command more than new replacement parts from Berg cost. They also watch their parts languish in the classifieds for years. They're out there right now.

So, basically, honestly, how nice is it, and how fast do you want to sell it???

That will be your guide as to how to price it.

Sincerely, good luck with it. I hope you can get what you think is a fair price for it.

Thu Jul 24, 2025 10:09 pm

Pics? Model number?

Fri Jul 25, 2025 9:27 am

Thanks for advice. I'll prob just leave it in the car. I plan on selling the car it's in anyways and it would be a good reason for someone to buy the car

Sat Jul 26, 2025 3:30 am

Rob Combs wrote:
Used parts are always tough to move at a price the seller thinks is reasonable.
I have to disagree with this conclusion relating to Berg parts. If the shifter in question has a different design handle than current production, he might be able to get the same as new, or more than new. There are plenty of buyers for vintage Berg parts out there.

When Berg is out of stock on an item and you have that item for sale, you can usually get the same or more.

I once sold a brand new Berg shifter for more than the Berg price at that time.

Sat Jul 26, 2025 10:44 am

Well, sure, but I'm not talking about side cases here.

If it has some elusive shift handle or was signed by Gene himself, ok you got me there. Niche parts with niche buyers are a bit of a limited and specialty market nested within an already specialty market, and that's not really who I'm talking about.

Out of stock parts, ok. Sometimes you get backed into a corner when what you need isn't in stock and there are no other good solutions. That's also not what I'm talking about.

My point was that people asking outrageous sums for parts anyone can walk in and get on Monday will be sitting on those parts for a while.

OP never mentioned some rare shift handle or anything special about it.

Anyone can walk into Berg on Monday and buy a new shifter. Or call in an order and have it sent to them within a week or so. A little longer if out of the US. Nothing special there.

Sat Jul 26, 2025 11:57 am

Yes, discontinued and rare handles do garner higher prices.

I scored this from Gary Berg's private collection

Sat Jul 26, 2025 1:10 pm

I’ll say that for me, used parts are worth half of new. Pre-owned, never installed, I’ll go 75 percent. That said, I’d never pay upwards from $300 or more for a fancy piece of steel or aluminum with a ball on the end when a stock shifter and a quick shift kit accomplishes the same thing.

Sat Jul 26, 2025 1:21 pm

Okay, here's mine. Post up yours please.

Sat Jul 26, 2025 1:58 pm

Here's mine

H2OSB

Sat Jul 26, 2025 2:12 pm

Rob Combs wrote: Anyone can walk into Berg on Monday and buy a new shifter. Or call in an order and have it sent to them within a week or so. A little longer if out of the US. Nothing special there.
Not quite. There are a LOT of options you can get for your Berg shifter.

40% or 60% reduction in throw.
T-handle or round knob available in both LHD and RHD.
Standard or Locking
Bus or Type 1
4 speed or 5 speed
The shaft has many options. The standard one comes in at least two heights. Then the extra bend that moves the T-handle away from your knee. Then one laid back more for Karmann Ghias.