I know that a lot of European cars have a dog-leg shift pattern, but I really don't know what it is. Is it when reverse gear is located to the left of first, or is it something completely different? Most of the Volkswagens and Audis that I've been in have a conventional shift pattern (1-2-3-4-5-R, "double-H" pattern).

The reverse gear is located outside of the shift pattern, as opposed to this:

imo, I like R to be on the right

It's actually this

R24
135

shift pattern instead of

135
24R

Uh... I'm confused. Which one is it? I was under the impression that the image Johnf514 posted is a "dog leg" shifter. But what is the shift pattern that scionkid posted called? Or is that a dog-leg shifter? I know several cars that have that style shifter (R-1-2-3-4-5 in a "double-H"). The Porsche 928 and Lamborghini Diablo both have it, as do some trucks (even Japanese ones). But I hear dog-leg shifters are only found in European cars... so what gives?

Go to http://www.wikipedia.org and search for dog leg gearbox

Ah, well, that clears things up. Thanks, scionkid.

the almighty wikipedia prevails again

Damn. Well, ignore my post then.