Rudi wrote:

I admire your ambition and perseverance. I like the purple shift rods as well.

Ha! After reading your second sentence, I don't know if I believe your first one Purple was the only choice without spending foolish money. And most folks won't see them.

Bearing Bob wrote:

Hmm... someone forgot to install the detent for the 1-2 gear rail, which keeps it in gear. DOH! Third time's a charm.

Really! You had to pull it again! Hopefully the 3rd time is the charm.
 

Ya, I gotta look into getting a new mechanic. The truth is  I didn't forget to put the detent in, I'm guessing it fell out when I was cleaning the trans after the speedo gear failed.
When I installed the top plate I noticed that there was no resistance from the spring. Since the top plate retains the spring and detent I figured sumpin was amiss. I made a mental note to look into it later, but lost the note. Oy vey.

Seeing your car pulled down like this... I find that even though these things are nearing 60 years of age and with what's considered old technology, I'm still impressed with the engineering on them.