Thank you Dropnosky and Walgamuth. I took the shifter out and found a jammed dime in there plus 2 pieces of chalk. The car came with no shifter boot and there was a lot of crap inside the shifter cavity/center console. I cleaned it the best I could but never suspect there may be something jammed inside the shifter assembly.
It was easier than I thought it would be. I disconnected the 3 connecting rods underneath to the tranny and undo 4 screws inside the car and the shifter came right out. Blew all dust out, lube the shifter, re-install and now the car shifts silky smooth.
