That particular gear shift knob was fitted from January 79. I know this from observation's I made when purchasing my new ute, on the Australia day weekend January 79. There was a yellow Sandman van with tan interior next to a ute in the showroom, both had the alloy wheel's fitted. The ute had the round gear knob and the van had the golf club style gear knob. The ute was a 12/78 and the van was 1/79, I bought the ute.