My interior looks quite good apart from the shift boot which looks rather old and tatty, it is also splitting around the top where the leather strips tie it down around the shifter, nasty! I am sure it is the original one, can someone confirm whether the original item was made of vinyl and not leather.

Anyone had experience of purchasing this item new? Were you happy with the fit and originality of the replacement? And any recommendations as to where I should get one from?

Thanks!

Definitely not leather. The one listed here looks like a good replacement (claims to be OEM spec) for $25.50.

http://www.datsunrestore.com/catalog.html

I think the originals were a vinyl with a cloth type backing....

I haven't used one of Too Intense's boots, but have used a new one from MSA, looked great. FWIW George, if you are going to replace the outer, you may want to go ahead and replace the rubber inner boot at the same time. They get cracks and rips in them and as much fun as it is to take out the console to get the one boot installed, you may as well do both...:cross-eye

Might as well replace the plastic pieces in the shifter.If you haven't done it, don't worry it 's as easy as putting the lid on tupperware.Now your tranny top is great for years.

MotorSport Auto sells (or used to 2 years ago) a leather replacement made by "Wheelskins" (the people who make nice leather steering wheel covers). The clips to mount it to the console were a tight fit, but it looks really nice compared to the kinda cheesy orignal cloth-backed vinyl (which is also avail at MSA and many other places). Cost for the leather one wasn't too bad either.:classic:

Daniel and 2ManyZs both have good ideas here, replace anything in the area that needs it all at once. Save yourself some time and effort!

The original ones were hides from the Nauga animal. Sadly this animal is now an endangered species and true blue replacements are difficult to find as Customs have them on the same list as Tortoise Shell artifacts. It seems that poopular demand for high quality leather like naugahydes outstripped the population faster than the little buggers could keep up. Incidentally, Armor All was first introduced as a sort of a primitive Viagra trying to get the little beasts to procreate. Unfortunately, this caused their skin to crack which resulted in even greater loses of the little guys.

The other item rare item is the wood they used on the steering wheel. That came from the Arboraetus Mimicus tree which only grows in a small section of Japan. Although several attempts have been made to plant the tree elsewhere, it seems that it will only grow in Japan. However there have been reports of a very similar tree found in the outback of Australia, which the natives refer to as Maderus Plasticum or in the original aborigine "Bluh Deeh Fuäacke Wôd".

Just a bit of Z trivia.

Hey, waddayano, we have our own comedian here! Cool!

Tanks for th' Laugh Enrique!!!!!

Originally posted by EScanlon

However there have been reports of a very similar tree found in the outback of Australia, which the natives refer to as Maderus Plasticum or in the original aborigine "Bluh Deeh Fuäacke Wôd".

EScanlon, your mistaken.

"Bluh Deeh Fuäacke Wôd" is the mystical tree which grows besides zeds awaiting restoration in the Land of Oz.

Having just returned from a couple of days away visiting a fellow zed head, I had come to the conclusion he was potty, to say the least.

On arrival one could count the zed's, some complete, some in pieces, some under corrigated iron, but all treated with TLC.

I wondered to myself if his intention was to "grow"zeds as these had been carefully planted among the trees. No other conclusion could be possible and now after reading about the "Bluh Deeh Fuäacke Wôd" tree I see his true motives.

there leather replacement and let me tell you its worlds of difference from the original and looks one thousand times better well worth the price.

:classic:

Thank you ALL for the very informative and helpful posts.

Keith thanks for the advice about replacing the inner boot as well, good idea.

Daniel - what are these plastic pieces in the shifter that I ought to replace as well??

Enrique thanks for the advice and the laugh!!!

Any tips guys before starting this job?

There is a plastic washer type thing on each side of the shifter where the pin that holds it in the tranny.On the bottom of the shifter there is one that snaps on to the ball on the shifter end.They make your shifter feel better and less vibration.Its easy.Removing the console is the hard part.Have you done that before? Daniel

I just remembered.There is a rubber piece that goes around the shifter base at the tranny.Kinda looks like a small shower cap.Then the inner rubber keith spoke of.