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Jeff, this is exactly what I was thinking. My first X was a 75'. The 1st year they came with the vinyl boot. I've always loved this look, and lamented that these were only offered for a few years before they switched to the newer style rectangular rubber boot. I'm not a fan of the beer tap either, and (IMHO) that "look" (despite perhaps being what some would call "period correct" for a 70's sports car) is worsened by the rubber boot. It never quite came together for me the way the older style did. As soon as I purchased Gianine, (my 79') I started the hunt for a suitable vinyl or leather boot to replace the half-assed one the PO had cobbled together from the torn base of the original rubber boot, and what looked to be an aftermarket vinyl sheath that someone may have used on an old beetle. My initial search turned up a thumbnail photo of the actual Fiat factory boot I so desperately wanted, but my hopes were quickly dashed when it was a dead link to the MWB website (which I had already scoured over unsuccessfully). I varied my search terms and checked google images "every night" for over a month and realized that these were "hen's teeth" and I would "never have a factory leather or vinyl boot . I resigned myself to having to either make my own (ala Craig Shepard) or find something similar enough to modify and fit. To make matters worse, the few boots I did find that looked like suitable substitutes (used or new) were all from very expensive or exclusive Italian marques of the era, and of course were ridiculously expensive! I was prepared to start cutting patterns and buy some material to sew one up, when I called Midwest to place a phone order for some parts. Matt answered and took my order. Before we hung up, I asked him if he knew of "anywhere" I could get a real X vinyl boot. He casually mentioned he thought he "might" have one or two still "laying around". He said would you like me to add that to your order? I "casually" said sure, why don't you just go ahead and do that. When I hung up the phone I felt like I'd just hit the lottery! Not only did he have it, it was NOS in the plastic wrapper!
Matt is the best!
This was not a straight swap. There was quite a bit of modification required to the console and I had to devise a method of attachment that was not going to come loose over time, be removable (if necessary) and look like a factory install.
Also, this is an interim step. I am also planning on losing the beer tap...changing the color of the shifter lever to chrome or silver, and installing a custom walnut knob. My goal is to have that classic look of a "proper" sports car of the late 60's early 70's. I'm almost there.
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