on the gt500 the (R) is top right and on the gt its on the top left? Both are 6sp. Also, on what GT package does the silver round shifter come with compared to the stock gear shifter? Im thinking now of going w/ manual trans..

 

It's simply the way they're designed. The reverse position being up and to the left has been common in Europe for quite some time. The Getrag MT82 in the GT is designed in Germany. As far as the silver aluminum ****, it is part of the 401A premier trim interior package, which gets you unique leather seats with the stripe, an aluminum dash, and leather door inserts.

 

The transmissions are made by different companies.

 

They are completely different transmissions that both happen to be 6-speed manuals.

 

It was here too, until they came out with a 5-speed.
3 and 4 speeds = reverse, upper left.

 

why Reverse is where it is had been explained already but the package for the silver **** is the 401A upgraded interior with th ebetter seats, door panels and a few other niceities

 

Don't forget the Pony emblem on each door panel, centered in the leather insert.

 

I think the reverse is on the left in the GT because some engineer thought about all of the kids who get a shiny new Mustang, yet have no idea how to drive. They really are only at risk of throwing the car into reverse while shifting into 1st, whereas the GT500 can potentially be shifted into reverse while shifting into 5th. However GT500's are primarily owned by decent driver's and not so many young kids getting these for graduation presents.

That's my take, of course it could also just be because it's German developed.

 

If its like any other trans, reverse is locked out while moving forward.

 

This thread is amazing not one of you has ever been in a manual transmission before have you?

Try to make this as simple as I can all the gears are laid out in pairs on two shafts except for reverse. Reverse has an extra gear on a separate shaft and this separate gear engages gears on both shafts. When the reverse gear is selected the output shaft turns in the opposite direction makes the car go in reverse. This gear is usually located at either end of the transmission against the front or rear wall. If it ends up at one end or the other that dictates which end of the shift pattern reverse is located.

There is an actual reason for the shift pattern it isn't some arbitrary pattern designed to confuse you or look cute.

 

No, it is arbitrary. You said so yourself, but in not so many words: Someone decided to design it 'thusly' and therefore dictated where the reverse went. Why it had to go there? Just does. No other reason. QED.