Value question - 1965 leather shifter boot

[geoff_68s]

(apologies if this is in the wrong forum section - we don't have a "marketplace discussion" one like the big bird board, so if it's inappropriate, let me know and I'll delete or have a mod move it)

Hi early S friends.

I'm trying to ascertain the replacement value of an original shifter boot for a '65 911, and my forum searches have yielded no results. Can anyone point me to a sale thread or something? An ebay search has only shown me aftermarket crap ones.

Backstory: I had a local upholstery shop (I won't name and shame yet) repairing some early seats for me, and asked if they'd put some leather treatment stuff on the handbrake and shifter boots since it worked so well on the seats... So they did, and I went to go pick them up, and they handed me just the handbrake boot, and have lost the shifter one. They haven't really been taking me seriously and I want something to show them, to help me make my point that a place that claims to do "restoration" work should understand that an original part from a fifty-seven year old automobile with a startlingly small production number is worth taking seriously.

I appreciate any insight you may have, thank you.

--
Geoff

[72targa]

Moved over here. We conduct all price inquiries in General Info. Good luck with your search!

[geoff_68s]

Thanks, Peter, appreciate the mod assistance.

--g.

[Jules Dielen]

I'd say at least $50.

[preS]

I think it would take at least 2 hrs to make one. Especially if they don’t have another sample at hand.
The problem remains that a repro is probably not the same (at least to me).

Unless you have or know of another one, you probably have to settle for a repro and some money.

For a real nice original leather shift boot with the right patina I think one should easily pay $200. I would be interested in such an example (after you have replaced your lost one).

Richard

[Orange71S]

Getting back to what I think is your original question: You can't make somebody care about your car. I'm certain most of us deal with this every car show we attend.

Instead, make them care about you.

When I was dealing with the restoration of my '71 S a few years ago, I took the interior guys a case of their favorite beer on a Friday afternoon. When the same car was being painted, I sent the shop a BBQ lunch with drinks and sides.
These efforts don't cost much, the guys in the shop remember you and appreciate it.
I hope this helps!
Take Care,
Jay

[geoff_68s]

[...]
Instead, make them care about you.

When I was dealing with the restoration of my '71 S a few years ago, I took the interior guys a case of their favorite beer on a Friday afternoon. When the same car was being painted, I sent the shop a BBQ lunch with drinks and sides.
These efforts don't cost much, the guys in the shop remember you and appreciate it.
I hope this helps!

That's some really solid advice, Jay, and I'll keep it in mind as I've also got some body shop work in my future. I lament the fact that my relationship with the upholstery shop has already degraded past that, but at least I can look forward to a better relationship with the next people I work with.

Cheers.
-- Geoff