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Paul Ray Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2006 Posts: 159 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 3:51 pm Post subject: Gene Berg gear shift |
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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. |
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doc73 Samba Member
Joined: June 26, 2004 Posts: 321 Location: Ohio
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 5:21 pm Post subject: Re: Gene Berg gear shift |
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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. _________________ Speed Leaving Without Warning . . .
66 Bug
66 fastback (sunroof) |
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Rob Combs Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2020 Posts: 590 Location: South Bay LA, California
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 8:57 pm Post subject: Re: Gene Berg gear shift |
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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. |
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Schepp Samba Member

Joined: March 22, 2020 Posts: 534 Location: NorCal
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Posted: Thu Jul 24, 2025 10:09 pm Post subject: Re: Gene Berg gear shift |
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Pics? Model number? |
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Paul Ray Samba Member
Joined: July 11, 2006 Posts: 159 Location: North Carolina
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Posted: Fri Jul 25, 2025 9:27 am Post subject: Re: Gene Berg gear shift |
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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 |
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Bruce Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 17620 Location: Left coast, Canada
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 3:30 am Post subject: Re: Gene Berg gear shift |
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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. _________________
overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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Rob Combs Samba Member
Joined: December 30, 2020 Posts: 590 Location: South Bay LA, California
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 10:44 am Post subject: Re: Gene Berg gear shift |
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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. |
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Glenn  Mr. 010

Joined: December 25, 2001 Posts: 79701 Location: Sneaking up behind you
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 11:57 am Post subject: Re: Gene Berg gear shift |
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Yes, discontinued and rare handles do garner higher prices.
I scored this from Gary Berg's private collection
_________________ Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"
Member #1009
#BlueSquare
עַם יִשְׂרָאֵל חַי |
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jeffrey8164 Samba Member

Joined: January 06, 2018 Posts: 4166 Location: Georgia
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 1:10 pm Post subject: Re: Gene Berg gear shift |
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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. _________________ Volkswagen!
Turning owners into mechanics since 1938.
“Let he that is without oil throw the first rod”
(Compression 8.7:1) |
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Victor H Samba Member
Joined: November 28, 2004 Posts: 101 Location: Lexington, South Carolina
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: Gene Berg gear shift |
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Okay, here's mine. Post up yours please.
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H2OSB Samba Member
Joined: April 14, 2013 Posts: 1533 Location: Modesto, CA
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 1:58 pm Post subject: Re: Gene Berg gear shift |
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Here's mine
H2OSB _________________ (o\_i_/o) Funny thing about pigs, they're cleaner than you and me. Well....you. |
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Bruce Samba Member
Joined: May 16, 2003 Posts: 17620 Location: Left coast, Canada
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Posted: Sat Jul 26, 2025 2:12 pm Post subject: Re: Gene Berg gear shift |
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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. _________________
overheard at the portland Swap Meet... wrote: |
..... a steering wheel made from a mastadon tusk..... |
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