http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCxclU1P9dM 

Have a look at the cable gearshift system I've put in my van.

WOW! Thats some engineering! Is it a reduced throw shifter too?

Where can we get those..I see your car is LHD...USA?

Nice one. Beats the stock oar the vdub factory calls a gear shifter.

In the UK, my vans an Italian import. Just about to do a pre-production run for both petrol & diesel vans. Same transmission kit for 4 & 5 speed. The kit would be a complete bolt on installation, everything except the gear knob. Took me 4 hours to fit including removing old linkage (first time), guess a skilled person would be less than 2 hours. Target price for complete system would be £300 plus carriage. Could dispatch anywhere in the World & have Credit Card facility.