The gear knob, handbrake grip and their associated gaiters are the most frequently gripped components of any MGF or MG TF interior. They are also the quickest way to lift a tired cabin, a new leather gaiter, a polished alloy gear knob or an upgraded handbrake handle makes a disproportionate difference to how the car feels from the driver's seat. MGOC Spares covers all four categories in this section: gear knobs across factory, special-edition and accessory fitments; leather gear lever gaiters in a range of colours and both Mk 1 and Mk 2 styles; leather handbrake gaiters to match; and alloy handbrake handle upgrades for a final finishing detail.
Gear Knobs
The gear knob range is extensive, reflecting seven years of MGF production, three years of MG TF production, and a number of special-edition fitments along the way. Early MGF cars to VIN XD511058 used the black plastic knob as standard, with optional Ash Grey leather, Light Granite leather, bright alloy, and wood-and-alloy items available as upgrades.
Later MGFs from XD511059 and all MG TF cars moved to a round bright alloy knob as standard, with specific fitments for the MGF Trophy 160, the MG TF Cool Blue SE, and the MG TF 80th Anniversary (which received a distinctive wood knob on green cars and an alloy knob on black or silver cars). Momo sport knobs and a burr walnut alternative are also catalogued as accessory upgrades. Full details, including the correct fitment for each VIN range and trim level, are covered on the Gear Knobs child page.
Gear Lever Gaiters
Leather gear lever gaiters are catalogued in two styles corresponding to the Mk 1 and Mk 2 centre console layouts. The Mk 1 gaiter (R813 series) fits MGF cars to VIN XD511058 and is available in Black, Cream, Green and Red.
The Mk 2 gaiter (R814 series) fits MGF from XD511059 and all MG TF cars, and is available in Black, Cream, Red and Grey. Each gaiter works with its corresponding retainer, the FJN100160PMA black plastic retainer on Mk 1 cars, and the FJV101910MDC alloy retainer on Mk 2 cars. Non-standard colours are available to special order to complement bespoke retrims.
Handbrake Gaiters
Leather handbrake gaiters (R812 series) are supplied in matching colours to the gear lever gaiters, Black, Cream, Green, Red and Grey, and fit both MGF and MG TF without distinction between Mk 1 and Mk 2 styles. Ordering gear lever and handbrake gaiters as a pair is the usual approach, giving a consistent leather finish across the two most visible console controls. As with the gear lever gaiters, special-order colours are available for retrims outside the standard range.
Alloy Handbrake Handle
The alloy handbrake handle is a straightforward visual upgrade that replaces the standard black plastic or leather handbrake grip with a bright alloy finish. It is particularly popular on cars running the alloy dash trim kit and alloy round gear knob, completing a coordinated metallic finish across the console. Fitment is a direct swap onto the existing handbrake lever, and the upgrade is reversible with no modification to the original lever mechanism. Full fitting detail and compatibility with both Mk 1 and Mk 2 handbrake lever assemblies is covered on the Alloy Handbrake Handle child page.
Ordering Considerations
Three pieces of information matter when ordering gear knobs and gaiters: the car's VIN (to confirm Mk 1 or Mk 2 style), the trim level or special-edition specification (which affects the correct factory gear knob for an originality-focused car), and the chosen interior leather colour. For owners refreshing the console as a coordinated upgrade, ordering the gear lever gaiter, handbrake gaiter and matching door pods together gives the best colour match and is the typical approach when a retrim has been done or is planned.