EMPI Trigger Shifter — Chrome-Plated, Long 13.5" O.A.L. | VW Type 1, Ghia, Type 3 & Thing (00-4450-0)

EMPI Trigger Shifter — Chrome-Plated, Long 13.5" O.A.L. | VW Type 1, Ghia, Type 3 & Thing (00-4450-0)

The chrome shifter for people who want it where their hand already is. The EMPI Trigger Shifter 00-4450-0 is the triple chrome-plated long 13.5" version — full stock-height knob position, sliding reverse lock-out trigger, and the polished shaft that has been the air-cooled default since the sixties.

Pick this part number when the car is stock height with factory seats and you want the shift knob to fall naturally to hand instead of down by the seat cushion. The 13.5" length restores something close to the OE knob position while the trigger mechanism and tightened gate do the actual work. The flip side is worth stating plainly: this is a tall shifter. In a dune buggy, a Baja, a kit car, or a sedan with a full tunnel console it will sit too high — those builds want the 12" short version, 00-4451-0.

Best for: Stock-height Beetles, Super Beetles, Karmann Ghias and Type 3s running factory seats, where a show-finish shifter should still be comfortable to reach.

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

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. Not recommended for dune buggies, Bajas or kit cars — use the 12" 00-4451-0 there. 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

• Long 13.5" overall length: near-stock knob height — 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.
• Stock-height reach: 13.5" overall keeps the knob near the factory position — no leaning forward for second gear.
• Not a buggy shifter: EMPI specifies this length for sedans; for buggies, Bajas and kit cars use the 12" 00-4451-0 instead.
• Bolt-in replacement: uses the stock shifter base plate and mounting bolts. No cutting, drilling or transmission modification.

Technical Specifications

• Part Number: EMPI 00-4450-0
• Finish: Triple chrome-plated
• Shift Knob: Round black plastic knob (included, installed)
• Overall Length: 13.5" (long style)
• Reverse Lock-Out: Yes — sliding trigger
• Fits: Type 1 / Ghia / Type 3 / Thing
• Transmission: Manual only
• Sold As: Each
• Shipping Weight: 2.59 lb
• Boxed Dimensions: 18 x 8 x 3 in
• UPC: 707924326987
• Cross-reference: ACC-C10-3566, EMPI 4450

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

• Why would I choose the long chrome shifter over the short one? Reach and comfort. If your car is stock height on stock seats, the 13.5" puts the knob about where the factory lever was, so nothing about your driving position changes. The 12" version drops the knob noticeably lower — sportier, but a longer reach in a car with tall seats.
• Can I use this in a Baja or a buggy? Not recommended. EMPI's own guidance is that the long 13.5" shifter is not suitable for most dune buggy or kit car applications because of its height. Those builds sit the driver low with no console, and this shifter ends up standing proud. Use 00-4451-0 (chrome, 12") for those.
• Does chrome hold up in a daily driver? In a closed sedan, yes — the shaft is inside a dry heated cabin and the plating lasts for years with the occasional wipe-down. It does need more attention than powder coat if the car lives outdoors or you drive in salt. For a low-maintenance daily, the black powder-coated 00-4508-0 is the same shifter in the same 13.5" length.
• Will it fit a Super Beetle? Yes. The Super Beetle uses the same tunnel-mounted shifter base plate as the standard Beetle, so 1971–1979 Super Beetles take the same shifter as the earlier cars.
• Does it come with the knob and hardware? It ships with a round black knob installed and the EMPI logo cast into the trigger. It mounts using your existing shifter base plate and bolts — this is a bolt-in swap, not a kit.
• What is the part number? EMPI 00-4450-0, UPC 707924326987. Chrome-plated, 13.5" long, Type 1 family.

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⚠️ 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.