Sounds to me s stupid mod if someone do that. There is no chance you do a bad shift, shifting in reverse when you wnaa go n reverse. The reverse in under the 5th, to the complete opposite of the first gear. Why don't you haven't try reverse while doing your test drive before buying? this way you were able to ask the previous owner. Sounds weird!
Nic.
P.S. The only time i saw a car with no reverse or lock up, the car was use for drag racing.
