EMPI Trigger Shifter — Black Powder-Coat, Short 12" O.A.L. | VW Type 1, Ghia, Type 3 & Thing (00-4507-0)

EMPI Trigger Shifter — Black Powder-Coat, Short 12" O.A.L. | VW Type 1, Ghia, Type 3 & Thing (00-4507-0)

Sloppy shifting is usually the first thing that makes a well-kept Beetle feel tired — you aim for second and the lever wanders somewhere between the gates. The EMPI Trigger Shifter 00-4507-0 replaces that vague factory lever with a short-throw unit that tightens the gate and adds a sliding reverse lock-out trigger.

This is the stealth version of the family. The black powder-coated shaft and matching black knob disappear into a stock or resto-mod interior instead of announcing themselves, which makes it the right pick for a period-correct restoration, a black-carpet daily driver, or anyone who simply does not want chrome catching the sun through the windshield. At 12" overall it is the shortest Type 1 length EMPI makes, so throws are quick and the knob sits low and out of the way of a bench seat or a lowered bucket.

Best for: Daily-driven Beetles and Ghias, resto-mod interiors, buggies and kit cars, and anyone who wants the shift improvement without the shine.

Vehicle Fitment

• VW Beetle (Type 1): 1949–1979
• VW Super Beetle: 1971–1979
• VW Karmann Ghia: 1956–1974
• VW Type 3 (Fastback / Squareback / Notchback): 1962–1973
• VW Thing (Type 181): 1973–1974
• Dune buggy, Baja and kit cars built on the Type 1 floorpan

Will not fit: VW Bus / Transporter (Type 2) — the Bus sits the driver far forward of the shifter and needs the 23.5" extra-long shifter instead. Manual transmission only; not for Auto-Stick.

Which EMPI Trigger Shifter Do I Need?

Every EMPI trigger shifter uses the same sliding reverse lock-out mechanism. What changes between part numbers is finish, knob and overall length — and length is the one that decides whether it fits your car comfortably. Short 12" suits lowered seats, full consoles, buggies and kit cars. Long 13.5" suits stock-height cars on factory seats. Extra-long 23.5" is Bus-only.

Why Choose EMPI?

EMPI has been building air-cooled VW performance and restoration parts since 1956, and the trigger shifter is one of the designs the brand is known for. Every unit ships as a complete assembly with the knob installed and the EMPI logo cast into the trigger. Washburn's Metal stocks the full trigger shifter range so you can match finish and length to the build rather than settling for whatever a catalog had left.

Key Features & Benefits

• Short 12" overall length: the shortest Type 1 length EMPI offers — see the comparison table above.
• Sliding reverse lock-out trigger: reverse stays blocked until you lift the trigger, so you cannot catch it on a downshift.
• Complete assembly: ships with the round black plastic knob installed and the EMPI logo cast into the trigger — no separate knob to buy.
• Lowest knob height in the Type 1 range: clears low-back buckets, sliders and tight tunnel consoles that a 13.5" shifter fouls.
• Matte black finish: no glare off the shaft in a low windshield, and it hides fingerprints far better than plating.
• Bolt-in replacement: uses the stock shifter base plate and mounting bolts. No cutting, drilling or transmission modification.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: EMPI 00-4507-0
• Finish: Black powder-coated
• Shift Knob: Round black plastic knob (included, installed)
• Overall Length: 12" (short style)
• Reverse Lock-Out: Yes — sliding trigger
• Fits: Type 1 / Ghia / Type 3 / Thing / Buggy
• Transmission: Manual only
• Sold As: Each
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 lb
• Boxed Dimensions: 17.75 x 7.75 x 3.25 in
• UPC: 707924385649

Installation Notes

This is a tunnel-plate job and a straightforward one: lift the shift boot, unbolt the shifter base plate from the tunnel, lift the old lever out with its spring and stop plate, drop the new shifter in, and bolt the plate back down. Most owners have it done in an afternoon with hand tools. Because the plate is already off, this is the sensible time to replace the shifter bushing, the base plate gasket and — if the shift feel has been getting worse for years — the shift coupler at the transmission. A new lever tightens the driver's end of the linkage; the coupler and bushings are what tighten the rest of it.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Will the 12" shifter feel too short for me? It depends on your seat. In a stock Beetle with the seat on its factory rails, a 12" shifter puts the knob roughly level with the front of the seat cushion — quick and sporty, but you reach down for it. If you sit tall, run a stock bench, or want the knob closer to hand, the 13.5" long version (00-4508-0) is the better match. If you run lowered buckets, a buggy seat, or a full console, the 12" is the one that will actually clear.
• Is powder coat more durable than chrome on a shifter? For a part your hand touches every trip, yes — powder coat will not pit or flake the way thin decorative chrome can, and it does not show water spotting. What chrome does better is scratch resistance; a dropped tool will mark powder coat. Neither finish affects how the shifter works.
• Does the black finish match the stock VW shifter? Closely. The factory Type 1 shifter is a plain black-painted stamping with a black knob, so 00-4507-0 reads as stock from three feet away while shifting noticeably better. That is exactly why it is the popular choice for restorations that need to look untouched.
• Do I need to modify the transmission or tunnel? No. This drops into the stock shifter base plate on the tunnel and uses the factory mounting bolts. No cutting, drilling or welding.
• What is the part number? EMPI 00-4507-0, UPC 707924385649. It is the black powder-coated, 12" short version. The 13.5" long version is 00-4508-0 and the 23.5" Bus version is 00-4509-0.

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Drivetrain & Transmission · Transaxle Components · EMPI

⚠️ WARNING (California Prop 65): This product can expose you to chemicals including lead and lead compounds, which are known to the State of California to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov. All parts legal for use on pre-pollution controlled vehicles only.