Gear Shifter question

Hi All

I need to put a bend in the gear shifter to allow it to function correctly and miss something it is hitting when selecting reverse. Obviously if I do that with the stock 1968 one it can turn and therefore the bend will not stay in place.

I notice that on an EMPI one it has a bend and does not rotate. Does anyone know how they have achieved that so I can fabricate/copy the mechanism.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

yep i need to know this to when i put in the extension

I ground a slot in the cup that the ball sets in then I removed the detent ball in the end of the shifter and drove a roll pin into the opening, It works fine and stays in place.

Muddy has hit it on the head as to the VW solution - a pin in the front of the shift lever ball, and a corresponding vertical slot in the shift rod socket that the ball goes into.