If you go with an aftermarket shifter(Hurst,etc.) it isn't too hard to build a shifter extension; I've even used threaded rod with the same thread as the shifter,you can bend it to put the knob where it's comfortable to use.Use a steel long-nut and two short jam-nutsto attach it to the shifter,and you might have to make an adapter at the top depending what shift knob you want to use. Use red loctite to assemble the bottom coupling. Once you have it all together except the knob,slide a piece of that foam tube stuff for insulating pipes over the whole shifter,from the bottom clear up to the top of the threads. Use a size that just fits over the shifter,and when you tighten the knob down,it'll look like a one piece shifter,custom bent to fit you.You can probably stretch the shifter boot opening enough to fit over the foam to add the finished look. (With a dremel you can even customize the top of the foam tube to provise some finger clearance wherever your fingers would lie when you shift.
Just one suggestion.
Speed
