1955 Fiat 1100. Gear problem

[Markdurant]

Hello
I have recently purchased a 1955 Fiat 1100 with 4 speed column shift. Problem is that I can’t find reverse gear🤪🤪😂. There is a pull knob with “R” on it ??
Can anyone help point me in the right direction

Thank you

[Turbobanana]

What have you tried so far?

Realistically there are only a few places it can be. Facing the H pattern it must surely be either to the left of first or second, or to the right of third or fourth. There may be a pull / push requirement (like on old Fords).

If a dogleg gearbox then there's an additional level of complexity but really the same principles apply.

Assuming you've tried all these, could it be that there's a problem with the gear linkage, or the box itself?

[Decky_Q]

Some cars of that era have the 4 gears in the corners of the H but reverse is in the middle and forward or back and the r lever allows you to select this position. I've never driven a column shift classic fiat unfortunately so just guessing based on 50s vws

[Turbobanana]

A video I found on YouTube showed a tutorial of the gearshift pattern in a Premier Padmini (in Hindi), suggesting it was a firm push away from the driver (ie, towards the dash), then down.

[sunbeam alpine]

Sorry if it's a stupid question, but is it driving?

The reason I ask is that I have a 1948 Fiat 1100 - admittedly with a floor gearshift - and mine only has 3 forward gears plus reverse, so if it isn't driving, maybe one of the 4 you've found is reverse!

[Markdurant]

Thank you all so much for your help
It is away and down, but push firmly away.
Managed to move it

You lot are diamond 👍

[Turbobanana]

Glad you got it sorted OP. Enjoy the car - maybe share some pics?