Custom Shift Boot

[1owner69Elan]

After struggling with the replacement gear shift rubber boot that would not (could not) stay in place I designed and ordered a custom leather boot online.

The anti-sizzle gearshift on my 69 S4 just does not fit inside the replacement rubber boots. I suppose the original boots worked better but they still ended up tearing eventually.

After much searching I could not find a pre-made leather boot that was small, short, and flat enough.

The new boot shown below was designed to fit the general "envelope" of the rubber ones.

When installed the leather boot appears approximately the same size as the rubber one.

The new boot is screwed in securely through its lower flap and the metal plate. No chance to pull out or ride up. No need for glue.

The boot was quite reasonable and now that this Lotus Elan design is in their catalog, could probably be ordered readily.


Note: I have no financial interest in this. I haven't specified the supplier in this post so as to not give the implication of an advert.

[bitsobrits]

Very nice. Can you provide the name of the supplier please?

[elancoupe]

Please PM me the supplier info, if you don't mind.

[1owner69Elan]

Rereading the posting guidelines it looks like I can refer you to the manufacturer site:

https://www.redlinegoods.com


Note: It turns out that while the site appears to be US based, the items are actually fabricated and shipped from Poland. So be prepared for several weeks delivery time.

I should note that it are a myriad of options available for stitching/materials/colors/....

Since these are relatively inexpensive, I actually ordered a second boot with a Lotus yellow stripe - to be used later should I choose be more "sporty".

[MarkDa]

It may be me but I can't find anything for elans old or new on the linked web site.

[elancoupe]

It's not just you.

[billwill]

It may be me but I can't find anything for elans old or new on the linked web site.

That's the point ennit? Their goods are tailor made to what you want.

https://www.redlinegoods.com/custom.php
https://www.redlinegoods.com/general.php
https://www.redlinegoods.com/ShortShiftBoot.php

[1owner69Elan]

Just email them at [email protected]" target="_blank" target="_blank addressed to Maciek (Mike).

Tell him you are interested in a boot for an original Lotus Elan like the one he just made for me (Napa, California). He has my design and should be able to replicate it with any modifications you might desire.

The Elan boot won?t show up on their site until I send them the installation pictures and instructions. I can provide this now to anyone on the Forum but Maciek wants a more ?polished? version before it goes on his site. Installation is trivial.

[1owner69Elan]

The email address is [email protected]" target="_blank without the ?quoted garbage? in my last post.

[MarkDa]

Ah! I understand now.
You got the free one then! - well done anyway.
We'll all get the benefit in the future.

[1owner69Elan]

Not free yet!

Have to conform to Redline's publishing standards for the installation instructions and photos. Frankly, a pain and time consuming.

I'll "earn" the "free" one after I finally generate the report and "high quality photos" for publication.

[MarkDa]

They must be very fussy - I'd say your photos are good enough for anyone who's going to be fitting it themselves.
Must be his way of not having to give one away!

[1owner69Elan]

The Elan shift boot is now on the website:

https://www.redlinegoods.com/Elan6273shiftboot.php

Again, I have no financial interest.

Happy with this small mod. No longer hear the transmission and road noise. Sense of being much smoother.

I also have a console armrest in leather from the same supplier. Yet to install as I need to fashion an aluminum backing to slip over the console. We?ll see how that goes.

[SENC]

How does the armrest look? Please post a picture, even if not installed. Thanks!

[1owner69Elan]

There is really not much to the armrest. Really just replicating (in leather, and slightly more padding) the wraparound armrest on some cars.

My car came with the flat (non wraparound) arm rest shown below. From the day I picked the car up at the factory I always felt that Lotus had cut costs going this route. I also used to get a sore elbow after a long drive.

One can get a replacement wraparound armrest from various UK suppliers but it is in vinyl. Also, being in California I have to pay for shipping from the UK.

So, the alternative route I took was to have the cover below made (top and bottom views) in leather with a bit more padding. But, I wanted to avoid a pillowy look.

The plan is to glue this to an aluminum sheet, with folds along the long edges, that slips over the console. The leather cover edges would be tucked under the sheet all way round to provide a finished edge.

At least that's the plan, when I get around to it. Hopefully it will look good when stretched and glued across the aluminum backing and be more comfortable than the original while still adhering to the same basic stock wraparound design.