i actually ended up fabricating one while re-using the salvageable parts of the old one. i was able to buy a new inner core and replace the rusted outter casing parts by splicing in small pieces of brake line. sounds cheesy but it worked really well and doesnt look half bad. what an odd cable...i can see why they are so hard to find. hopefully this one will last another 35 years like the last one. thanks for your advice, it got the brain going.