Yikes!! Thats a steep price for a piece of rubber! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1970-72-buick-gs-gsx-shifter-boot_W0QQitemZ220078621382QQihZ012QQcategoryZ33736QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
The prices paid for parts never ceases to amaze me. Gets higher and higher every year. Whats really scary is the fact that we'll look back at this and say, "boy, what a deal that was!" Whats also sad is the fact that with every one of these record breaking sales, the bar gets moved up another notch.
Rich, If someone would send me an NOS one to use for the mold, then you wouldn't have to buy an incorrect one. Duane
Joe, I have checked with my mold guy and he believes we can make it with the systems we have available. I need to get him an example so he can see what I am getting him into. Duane
You GO Duane !! That is just plain ole Krazy !!!!!!!:rant: This hobby is getting crazier and ...........:rant: :sleep: :sleep:
Duane ,as soon as I can get into my storeage shed I will find it.It may be a few weeks as there is literally a 6 foot drift smack dab in my way.I will stay in touch on this.Thanks,Joe
Hello Buick friends... I'm the guy who just paid $460.00 (+10 for ship) for the shifter boot and ring. YESSSS.... I do need my head examined :shock: but after buying one from Metro Rubber (that looks nothing like this one) I had to have it for my 71 GS to finish off the interior. I took my wife out to dinner and drinks and told her I was bidding to win" on eBay and she was surprisingly cool about it. She knows how much this car means to me. In fact, I thought she was so good about it I went over to a local Sears store the next morning and bought a $1500.00 Craftsman toolbox and she wasn't so pleased... I knew she was pissed when it took 4 guys to lift the bottom chest on a pallet into the back of my truck and almost had to make a return visit for the rest of it - but I made it all fit. It's proudly displayed in my garage next to my car and she digs me again.. Duane, if youre looking for an excellent example to reproduce and cannot find one, let me know. My concern is losing or damaging this thing after what I spent on it.. It's absolutely mint and we all know they are hard to find. I just cannot believe this part has not been reproduced as of yet. Regards, Mike Iggycat2004 1971 Buick GS Convertible New Jersey
[quoteI just cannot believe this part has not been reproduced as of yet. Regards, Mike Iggycat2004 1971 Buick GS Convertible New Jersey[/quote] Mike, Metro was making the boot but it was larger than the original boot. Here's a photo of the boot installed in a car without a floor hump. That was the one good thing about them being larger. You could get away without the floor hump.
Mike, The mold making process would not damage the part in any way. We would spray the part with a mold releasing agent, and when the mold is done, simply peal the mold away from the part. I little cleaner, and it looks just like it did before we started. We have done this same thing on many parts over the years, including NOS front spoilers, NOS 1970 GSX steering wheels, 71 GS hood inserts, etc, and have always returned the pieces untouched to their original owners. Years ago Dave Kleiner sent me an NOS boot and we were going to make it, then metro came out with theirs so we cancelled the project. Now that I hear they are not going to continue with this, and everyone is crying for them, it's time to do them, and do them correctly. When I make something I don't make something that looks similar to an original, I either do it so it looks as close to the original as possible, of I don't do it. The parts I have reproduced in the past were all done out the need to find these pieces for my own vehicles. When I had a 70 GSX I needed both the steering wheel and front spoiler, and at the time refused to pay $1500 a piece for each part. So we developed the molds, to reproduce the parts so I and others could get these pieces cheaper. Now I don't need this boot for myself (I don't have any 4-speed cars left) but would like to make it to help everyone out. It would be nice to offer the few pieces that are not reproduced, to complete a 4-speed changeover. My reproducing the injection molded parts was never really about making money. As long as I could make the molds, and sell enough pieces to break even and put myself a little to the good, I was happy. That way it doesn't end up costing me anything, and the guys get what they need. Of course the better the part is, the better the copies will be. I will not and cannot use an inferior piece for my mold. It's too costly a process to take the chance of screwing up. If you want to help your fellow Buick buddies out, and offer your part to make the mold, that would be great. I will also give the following guarantee; If anything happens to this part once it is in my care, I will pay you the full purchasing price you paid off e-bay. That way you will not be out any money for helping with this project. If everything works out, I will also send you 1 reproduction part, along with your original part, for your troubles. This is how I do things, let me know what you decide. Duane
Duane I do not have a NOS or used boot or I would offer it up to make mold. Hopefully Joe can assist. If you have a mold maker that can produce such an item than I would say go for it ,as demand is obviously there!
While I know the upper consolette boot is reproduced, after reading this thread I quietly went to the garage and picked up my NOS one that was sitting unceremoniously flopped on the shelf and slipped it into a baggie and into a safer place. Holy Smokes! :shock:
Is Metro still making the upper consolette boot? its not in their catalog and the person I spoke with did'nt know anything about it
Duane, I would definitely like to be involved and help support this. Included in the sale of the boot is the original ring that may be of some help to be reproduced. I can forward that as well if you'd like. These parts should be available for all of us at a reasonable price and we shouldn't have to pay a significant price for something that originally cost less than 25 bucks. I'd be glad to help out here. I have not received these parts as of yet, just sent my payment over to the seller. Call me at 914-393-3302. Just a side note: Does anyone know of a painter that knows Buicks (and is reasonable) in the try state area (NY, NJ, CT)? I have an appointment to have my car painted in New Jersey and though this guy comes highly recommended, he doesn't know Buicks and I don't feel comfortable about it. Any information would be appreciated. Thanks, Mike
I bought mine through Y1 a few years ago, but I just checked and it appears on their site currently. It has a lot shinier surface than the original I took off and the NOS one I have on the shelf. I'm assuming Metro might have or is making it for Y1?
I would like to know the same thing about the uppper consolette boot?? If one of these guys boots does not work out due to the condition, then let me know Duane. I could possibley part with my NOS one for the love of the buick guys on here who have helped me in so many ways.
Mike ,Thanks for stepping up .If you are definetly going to forward the ring and boot to Duane please let me know .Otherwise I will find the boot from the 4 spd I'm doing now and send it. Duane let me know if you guys talk offline,I also have a nice used ring from the same project I'll send.Thanks guys.Joe
