Shift gate peculiarity

[Olazz]

Look at this pic of a 230 gate taken from the tech manual.

http://www.sl113.org/wiki/uploads/TransmissionClutch/AutoshifterConsoles.jpg

I have a '68 280 with the correct gate, lettering on the right and illuminated however, I seem to have the plastic guide of the earlier 230 without the little plastic bit just above P.

My car was a one owner original with huge history. I have a copy every bill and service document since original delivery in Germany to 2010. So would this have been supplied like this  new from factory, or was this a later addition by the owner I wonder? 

Any early 280's with a similar plastric guide with a piece missing?

Lazz

[badali]

The plastic is broken.  It should suround the opening completely.

[scoot]

Yes, both pictures show shift gates with broken plastic.  I think you can get the late style from SLS...

[Dave]

I was at a recent car show and there was a guy there with a white 1953 corvette with a 1960's ChecyV8 installed and the same automatic transmission that is in my 230SL.  He bought it from an estate sale where the original builder had passed away.  The car originally came with a straight 6 cyl and a 3sp manual.  He didn't know what the trans was until I told him.  Wish I took a picture.  What a Frankenstein !

[66andBlue]

 
What does that have to do with the shift gate?
Are you trying to shift the topic?