1969 manual shift boot
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 10
From: Claremore, OK
1969 manual shift boot
I need to replace the lower rubber and upper leather shift boot on my '69 4 speed Vett. My interior is black, so the upper shift boot that's in my car now is a badly worn black leather boot. Looking on Corvette Central's web site I can get a replacement Leather upper shift boot for a '69 vett in Bright Blue, Green, Gunmetal, or Saddle but not in black. I called their costumer tech line and the guy said the stock upper boot for a '69 Vett was rubber and that somebody must have, at some point, replaced the stock rubber one with a leather boot. So, I ask, "then why can I get an upper leather boot for a '69 Corvette in all these other colors but not in black"? He really couldn't answer that. Can anyone here answer that?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 10
From: Claremore, OK
Thanks just ordered it. The tech guy from CC said I could use that one, so I said, "then shouldn't the description read " fits 68 -"79? He said "no because the stock boot for a "69 is rubber". So again, I ask, "then why do you offer leather upper shift boots specifically for a "69 Corvette in other assorted colors, but not black"? Maybe I'm just too OCD. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,230
Likes: 984
From: Wauconda IL
Thanks just ordered it. The tech guy from CC said I could use that one, so I said, "then shouldn't the description read " fits 68 -"79? He said "no because the stock boot for a "69 is rubber". So again, I ask, "then why do you offer leather upper shift boots specifically for a "69 Corvette in other assorted colors, but not black"? Maybe I'm just too OCD.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,735
Likes: 2,582
I need to replace the lower rubber and upper leather shift boot on my '69 4 speed Vett. My interior is black, so the upper shift boot that's in my car now is a badly worn black leather boot. Looking on Corvette Central's web site I can get a replacement Leather upper shift boot for a '69 vett in Bright Blue, Green, Gunmetal, or Saddle but not in black. I called their costumer tech line and the guy said the stock upper boot for a '69 Vett was rubber and that somebody must have, at some point, replaced the stock rubber one with a leather boot. So, I ask, "then why can I get an upper leather boot for a '69 Corvette in all these other colors but not in black"? He really couldn't answer that. Can anyone here answer that?
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,682
Likes: 3,135
From: Shamong, NJ
Thanks just ordered it. The tech guy from CC said I could use that one, so I said, "then shouldn't the description read " fits 68 -"79? He said "no because the stock boot for a "69 is rubber". So again, I ask, "then why do you offer leather upper shift boots specifically for a "69 Corvette in other assorted colors, but not black"? Maybe I'm just too OCD.
As others have said, 68's and 69's used a rubber boot, a tall one on early 68's and a shorter one on later 68's and 69's. People have been using the 70-76 leather boot (77-81 and 82 leather boots are different and won't fit the early console) as a popular and more durable replacement for the 68-69 rubber boots.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 2,328
From: Central UT
As others have said, 68's and 69's used a rubber boot, a tall one on early 68's and a shorter one on later 68's and 69's. People have been using the 70-76 leather boot (77-81 and 82 leather boots are different and won't fit the early console) as a popular and more durable replacement for the 68-69 rubber boots.
Drifting
Joined: May 2022
Posts: 1,410
Likes: 572
From: CA & ID
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
FWiW…the stock shifter on my ‘69 coupe was swapped out with a Hurst several decades ago, and the rubber boot was replaced with a leather boot. The leather upper boot is old and torn, so I looked around for a replacement. I saw Red Line Goods as one of the sponsors here on CF, so they custom made me a black leather boot. For a little flair, I had them do blue stitching to complement my car’s blue interior and exterior. They do make some that are compatible with the ‘69 Corvette. Not all of the boots shown on their website work with a ‘69 Corvette.
You have to take measurements and send them to the company.
They seem to be running sales fairly often. You don’t get the hardware screws with them; the replacement boot was more or less $40.
You have to take measurements and send them to the company.
They seem to be running sales fairly often. You don’t get the hardware screws with them; the replacement boot was more or less $40.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 10
From: Claremore, OK
Thanks for the info. I've already bought a boot for my car, but I will check out Red Line Goods. That is cool that they can customize a part such as this. You know customer service is worth a lot in my book.