Abstract: A tiltable shift lever assembly for operating a transmission of a vehicle, including a shift lever disposed between a driver's seat and a front passenger's seat, so as to extend generally upward when placed in its operative position. The shift lever is supported pivotally about a first pivot axis substantially parallel to a transverse direction of the vehicle. The shift lever has an upper portion having a knob, a lower portion operatively connected to the transmission, and a coupling connecting the upper and lower portions such that the upper portion is pivotable, about a second pivot axis substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle. A fixed guide member is disposed above the coupling of the shift lever, and has a guide slot formed in a direction substantially parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. The upper portion of the shift lever extends through the guide slot, and is guided by the guide slot for a pivotal movement of the shift lever about the first pivot axis.