I did the same modification on my 72 280se 4.5. There are chrome shift gates for the 3 speed on Ebay. I also changed out to the lollipop gear stalk as well and replaced the plastic shift gate trim with a new reproduction one.

The rubber trim around the gate does not fit proper, not sure if the chrome gate uses a different one than that of the plastic gate.



Tom, out of interest what prodution month was the cut off between 72 w108s and 73 W108s. Mine is a 06/1972 production but is classified as a 72 model. I think production stopped at the end of 09/1972 for W108/109 cars.