VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1971-1979 Vega 4-speed reverse lockout.

The Vega GT wagon that I bought for a parts-getter has a 3-speed transmission. I have a 4-speed and a shifter, but the reverse lock-out rod is missing. Am I correct in thinking that this really is no big deal and wouldn't affect the actual shifting? My impression is that the lock-out is there to keep dummies like me from catching reverse instead of first and if you're careful, the shifter works fine without it. True? Thanks. Tom

Hey Tom,
that is pretty much the case. Keep in mind that the throw is real close. Four speed vega shifters are pretty hard to find, but the lock out rod should be the same as the ones used on the Camaro's
I had some junk Vega shifters for parts let me look I might have the part you are looking for. On mine the spring that pulls the shifter from second to the right toward third was broken, it was so hard to drive like that.

Thanks John. I have found another shifter that has the reverse lock-out rod intact. It has some other issues, but now that I have two shifters I should be able to make one good one. Still working mostly on my '32 roadster, so the Vega transmission transplant will probably be a next-winter project. Tom