The gear knob and the handbrake grip are the two cabin items every Classic Mini driver touches every time they drive the car, pull away, change up, change down, sit at a junction, hand on the handbrake at every stop. Replacing both with a coordinated finish that matches the dashboard, switch panel and door furniture is one of the quickest, cheapest and most satisfying interior upgrades available, and the new look is felt under the hand from the very first drive. The QParts premium range covers four finishes, Genuine Burr Walnut, Charcoal, Brushed Aluminium and Carbon Fibre Overlaid, and a polished ball alternative for owners wanting a classic motorsport finish.
Burr Walnut Gear Knobs and Handbrake Grips
The Burr Walnut gear knob and matching Burr Walnut hand brake grip are the traditional period choice, a true wood veneer over a turned hardwood substrate, hand-finished and lacquered for durability. Burr Walnut suits a classic period restoration, light cabin trim schemes, chrome bezels and the Burr Walnut dashboard and switch panel finishes for a fully coordinated cabin upgrade. The 1992 to 1996 cars were factory-fitted with an optional wood gear knob, and the QParts Burr Walnut item carries that period look forward in a higher-quality finish.
Charcoal Gear Knobs and Handbrake Grips
Charcoal is the modern matte alternative, a soft, low-sheen finish that suits darker cabin trim, leather seats and the late 1990s and 2000-spec Cooper variants. The Charcoal gear knob and matching Charcoal hand brake grip pair with the Charcoal dashboard, switch panel and door furniture finishes for a complete coordinated upgrade. Charcoal is particularly suited to cars with body-coloured switch panels and dark interior trim, where the matte finish provides a calmer alternative to the warmth of Burr Walnut or the bright reflection of Brushed Aluminium.
Brushed Aluminium Hand Brake Grip
The Brushed Aluminium hand brake grip gives the cabin a competition or modified-Mini appearance and is the popular choice for tuned and Cooper-style cars. The brushed metal finish picks up cabin lighting and contrasts well against carbon fibre or alloy gear knobs and the Brushed Aluminium dashboard and switch panel finishes. Owners specifying Brushed Aluminium typically pair the hand brake grip with an alloy gear knob (the original fitment on 1998-on Cooper limited editions) for a coordinated metal-finished lever set.
Carbon Fibre Gear Knobs and Handbrake Grips
Carbon Fibre Overlaid gear knobs and matching Carbon Fibre hand brake grips are the modern modified-Mini choice, a contemporary motorsport-inspired finish that suits a tuned engine, sports steering wheel and the Carbon Fibre dashboard and door furniture range. The carbon fibre weave is hand-applied over a turned substrate and lacquered for a deep, consistent finish suited to a competition-style cabin. The Carbon Fibre items are pitched a step above the wood-veneer finishes in price and quality, reflecting the additional finishing work involved.
Polished Ball Gear Knob
The polished ball gear knob is a classic motorsport-style alternative to the wood-veneer and overlay finishes, a simple polished alloy ball that suits a stripped-back competition cabin or a modified Mini with a sports steering wheel. The polished ball is the lightest gear knob in the range and gives the most positive shift feel under the hand for owners who use the gearbox actively. It pairs well with the Brushed Aluminium dashboard and switch panel finishes for a coordinated metal-themed cabin.
Original-Specification Gear Knobs and Handbrake Grips
For owners restoring to factory specification rather than upgrading, the standard plastic gear knobs are available for each production period: the 1976 to 1980 standard knob with white-highlighted gate pattern, the 1980 to 1985 plastic-insert type, the 1986 to 1996 specification, and the 1996-on leather gear knobs in Red, Prussian Blue, Porcelain Green, Black, Light Stone Beige and County Green. The 1998-on Cooper limited edition alloy gear knob is also available.
Original-specification handbrake levers and grips are listed separately, with leather grip options in Black, Green and Beige to match the leather gear knob colours.
Fitment
All gear knobs in the range are threaded to fit the standard Classic Mini gear lever and require no modification. All hand brake grips fit the standard Mini handbrake lever and slide into place over the existing lever in the same manner as the original grip. Both items are reversible upgrades, the original gear knob and hand brake grip can be retained and refitted at any time. No tools beyond a small spanner are typically required.