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Just a little FYI, it is possible to remove and replace the leather shift boot without removing the center console. I bought one from Zips for 25 bucks and figured what the heck, if it does not work it was worth a try. I cut about four inches of the metal side brace off on each side, carefully removed the leather first and black tape. Next up drilled the four screw holes and ran the screw in and out a few times then was off to the races. Removed four screws and then Cut my old torn boot off . Now you just fit the end part in and line up the screw holes and put them in. I did the top part first as you can get your hand under the leather to support it. Little tougher to do the bottom but I inserted a flat blade screw driver in the shifter opening and lifted in place while starting the screw in. Before I did the install I used a black adhesive glue to re apply on both ends so the leather would bond to the metal that was left, worked fine. Even though there is no metal on sides the leather stays put. Time will tell but seems to be working fine so far! My 2 cents for the day
Lets just say....its extra time I have at my garage, I like to figure stuff out! lol...who knows what is next for Tom, might crawl under the car and rip out that nasty catalytic converter! haha
I never thought about the later C3s using the boot for a shifter instead of the slides, I wonder if they have the same profile as the older 4-speed plates...
Is that opening straight or does the left side have a bend in it half way down so the bottom is more narrow than the top is?
M
Both sides looked equal to me. If I did it again only cut about 2 inches on each side, just needs to be flexible enough to get over the shifter then wiggle into place . The leather is glued to the metal with black tape over it. I used my black trim glue on both ends so it would not come off.
Bummer
We made one when I put the 4-sp console plate on but it was a bit of a pain when a replacement was fairly cheap, but the hole was the wrong size. Thought this might have been an easier way to do it... if I ever do it again
M
A word of caution........Note the way the leather is stretched tight in the last picture. You need to roll the top edge of the leather down around the shift lever. After installing a new boot in my 81, the first time I put it in park, it tore the leather out from under the rear screws. By rolling about an inch of the leather down around the shifter it will slide up and down the shifter.
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You done nice job!
New shift boot install..I cheated!
