The Olds reproduction from Fusick is sorta close, it's just that the base is larger than the original Buick version. https://www.fusickautomotiveproducts.com/products.asp?dept=400&val=0&pagenumber=2
I need 2 of these for my current cars & personally don't like the looks of the Olds one although functionally it works. Maybe it's just b/c I've had a 4-sp GS since I was 18 & am used to that look of the smaller boot. At one time Year One reproduced the correct one (had one on a car I sold) but it's discontinued. I talked to them last year and they were considering making them again. The guy who handles that was checking on the tooling & min. quantity. I followed up & never heard anything & will again but I assume it's a dead end. It may be possible to trim the Olds boot & make the edges look right. I haven't tried. I have an orig. I borrowed from @STAGE III (it's still here safe & sound Fritz) and have been wanting to get a quote on having them reproduced. Of course there’s a very limited market for these.
Hello, my GS is a 71, 455, 4 speed. I liked the look of this one, it is more like the original, but unfortunately, it is out of stock right now. Perhaps you could ask when it will be back in stock. https://4speedconversions-com.3dcartstores.com/389905_r1.html hope this helps. Dwight
Hi. Yes. This car has been in family since new. I have owned it since 1973. I replaced the boot a while back and didn’t like the one I replaced it with. The original started to crack between the creases and I thought I needed to replace it. Sometimes you have to purchase what is available but when you get it, there is a difference despite assurances it is exactly like the original piece. When I saw this one, it seemed a much better match but it is not available at this time. If this one becomes available again, I would replace this boot once more. If you have the time to wait that is fine, but if not, you are in the same boat as me. I have not asked this vendor about this part, to find out when this part will be available again. Perhaps we should all inquire to demonstrate an interest. Seems there are few of us who would need this but you never know. Thanks
That one does look better. I will at least call about it. Who knows Maybe 3 guys calling will make them think about it.
Thanks I just did the same thing. Told them I would order 2 if it would help. I won’t sell my GS so I would like a spare anyway.
Good idea. If I get a reply, I will tell them the same. I kept my old boot so I could recognize a correct one. Here is s photo of it. The replacement boot was much larger in diameter, I guess to cover a multitude of transmission openings. The slope of the original is just different from the ones out there now. While this original looks good in the photo, it is actually in bad shape with cracks and deteriorating material. I am actually afraid to handle it very much. When I have seen photos of GS 4 speeds without a console, I have recognized this shape on some of them. Maybe someone will show mercy and produce these for us. With just over 100, 71s without a console, I don’t know how much demand there is. take good care.
'68-72 (at least) was the same. If the one from 4 speed conversions isn't pretty close or they won't make more, I'll have it done sooner or later. Interestingly, I have it on good authority that many Freemont built non-console Oldsmobiles came w/Buick boots.
Hello, I didn’t know that. Do you know if the same boot was used for all engine sizes? Seems it would be. If this is true, it is possible there might be many who could benefit from an accurate reproduction, especially if they were also used on some Olds models. I believe I misstated the facts above. I believe only 104 GS 455s 4 speeds were produced in 71. Don’t know how many of these were without consoles. Take good care.
Same boot for SBB. Not sure if the Olds guys restore them to "as-built' or as they should've been built. I don't think we have any data on the number of 350/455/S1 built ea. yr. w/o consolette but regardless the market for these is pretty small.
Hello. I did receive a reply from 4 Speed Conversions. “It took me 10 years to sell 2 of those. The one that is pictured was purchased from The parts place. (CP9596Z). On their site they have OEM part number SS6661, which is Fusik's part number, which looks different on the Fusik website.” This might be the wrong time to expect any good news. take good care.
As usual, it looks like we're on our own here unless Year One comes through. I'll check with them 1st and then start pursuing a vendor that'd be interested in making them.
I heard back from Year One this morning & it wasn't a dead issue but didn't sound promising so... I'd already started scoping out vendors & will start making some contact. I told him I was going to look into having them done so maybe that'll spur them on to do it.
