I’m sputtering and backspacing while trying to find a way to start this blog post. I just finished installing these gorgeous bits and my hands still smell of leather cleaner. I’m in awe. I’m beyond happy. I’m in Miata Interior OCD Heaven.
Project-G‘s newest items, their shift and brake boots, are the shiz. Get them. Seriously, you guys.
Okay… trying to pull it together…
Initial Inspection
I opened the bags and my nose was slapped around by the rich smell of leather. The first shot with Hot Rod holding the brake boot really needs smell-o-vision. The lights in my lightbox made it even better. Lovely aromas permeated my office.
The leather is top notch. Very rich feeling. Thick, but not too thick. Supple. Just right for parts that need to move constantly while driving around. The grain is similar – not too coarse and not too fine. Just right.
But the stitching is more than “just right.” It’s perfect. Look at it. They even stitched the bottom of the brake boot. INCREDIBLE. I’m smitten.
Project-G Brake Boot
There’s really not much to a shift boot install. Remove the handle, pull the boot over top of the plastic brake cover, then reinstall the handle.
The one pictured above is the Redline Goods “loose fit” brake boot. It’s very nice, but it’s… well… not very loose. It fits well and is well made, but I always wished for something a little more like the vintage-look, loose fit boot that Sharka wore for years.
And Project-G answered my prayers. Their boot is perfect. Vintage loose-fit goodness in a gorgeous 4-panel pattern.
Here’s a bunch of pix.
Build Quality: Perfect. I’ve never seen a leather car accessory to equal this. A+
Installation: Beyond simple. A 3 minute affair. A+
Usability: No problems at all. A loose-fit brake boot can sometimes cause the handbrake to bind or become difficult to lower all the way. Not this one. No interference with operation. A+
Style: The stuff of my dreams. A++
Overall: If my gushing doesn’t come across in this text, I’m in need of some remedial writing classes. This is, to me, perfect. A+
Project-G Shift Boot
No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. This is the NB shift boot from Project-G. I’m quite happy with the Redline shift boot that Sharka is currently wearing (and didn’t want to hack up another one to fit my Cobra shift ring when the Redline was perfectly acceptable.) But the boot in Bucky was the stock vinyl part. Something had to be done about that.
The Project-G is a direct-fit boot. No modification needed. The little holes line up perfectly. It even has an O-ring for the top hole to keep the leather from sliding down the shifter. Most boots don’t come with anything and you have to swap over the ring from the old stock boot. It’s not hard, but I always have to scour the shop for contact cement and hope what I have isn’t dried up.
There’s really not much more to say. It fits just like OEM. But it looks a million times better!
Build Quality: Perfect. An exact replica of the OEM boot, but in leather. And with excellent stitching! A+
Installation: Remove console, remove old boot, install new boot. 10 minutes of work. A
Usability: Just like the brake boot above, no problems at all. The leather is soft and not too thick. Shifts are just like stock. A+
Style: Lovely. OEM+, just like Bucky’s interior. A+
Overall: I’ve wanted to upgrade that tired old shift boot for a while. Glad I waited for Project-G to come out with this kickass part! A+
Summary
Really, I’m thrilled with these small upgrades. I liked the Redline parts, don’t get me wrong. None of them ended up in the old-parts pile. But these goods from Project-G are on the next level. They would be at home in a much much more expensive car.
If you want these for your own Roadster, hit up Project-G. They’ll take care of you.
Wow. What a huge change in the overall appearance from a relatively small part. I’m sold and will definately be getting a set of these for Flipper. Awesome write up!
They will look right at home with that IL console. I don’t think you could pick out a finer leather upgrade.
The new boots look great! I have the redline boots and they are very good quality. Hopefully they start making other leather stuff for the interior.
OT: Where did you get the black polished joyfast knob? Looks sexy!
I had one of my Joyfasts powdercoated in gloss black. It matches my vent rings. Now I need to find a metal handbrake knob and get that powdercoated too.
That’s a pretty cool idea. Might have to give it a try when/if I ever get a JF knob.
Love it.