it looks like the shifter arm, that goes on the transmission that those two cables from the shifter will attach to. but i didnt think on that year it was a counterweighted swingarm like that.
the picture is not that great. but i think it is this:
as long as the two cable portions are interacting with the transmission it will be drivable. but it will need to be "forced" into gear.
i think diesel geek makes a short shift replacement?
but the stock piece is available used on vortex..
for example
http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?c ... id=3523422