floor shift hole

[Cocko750]

That's what I meant, the 2 x piece gearstick must have appeared late '73 or early '74 hence why both of your 1974 HQ's don't have the plate. In 1974 there were 2 x 4spd van bodies, Sandman and not-Sandman. Due to the Sandman needing the seat separator / console bracket but the not-Sandman (bench or buckets) not having the bracket. Both of your 5/74 HQ's are Sandmans if the brackets are original and there is a hole there for the shifter.

I have what I believe is a hj ute ( no plates) hj dash , square wiring plug ,square accelerator cable hole and it has the small plate with two screws covering the notch when I'm back at home I'll take a shot if needed.

[HK1837]

If that is the case we may be looking at a plant specific thing, or it may be for only hockey stick shifters after a certain time. And I can confirm it is still in the later HJ catalogue and as a deleted item in the HZ catalogue.

I have wondered for a few years now if it is an identifier for a console shift body in a HJ commercial (ie lack of it).