1968 4-speed console

[Grouper Trooper]

Is/was there a chrome finish trim ring (square) attached to the opening in the console where the boot for the shifter comes through?

[corbins]

I believe so... but not really attached as far as I know.

[GT350AUS]

Yes, it is retained by the lower part of the boot, not screwed to the console

[Grouper Trooper]

So sandwiched between the console? Shelby specific? Anyone know if they are available? I don't see anything at Branda's.

[Coralsnake]

The square, chrome bezel is not Shelby unique. It is installed on top of the console. It pushes down over the folds of the shifter boot and "floats" in place.


https://store.cobranda.com/19shbore.html

[Grouper Trooper]

Ok, now I understand! I remember this trim from a 67 Mustang 289/2V 3 speed manual my father had from 1970-76.
Thank you very much for the clarification! I knew the boot floats... now I know how they were "sealing" the inside of the car from the outside.

[Corey Bowcutt]

Not sure what you mean by sealing the inside of the car from the outer but this chrome bezel is not really doing that.  A combination of the lower rubber boot around the shift mechanism and the upper boot do that.

[Grouper Trooper]

Yes, but I would think the bezel on top would help to keep the boot portion under the console secure to the underside of the console. Or, is it strictly cosmetic?

[Tired Sheep]

Cosmetic

The rubber boots are screwed to the floor

[Grouper Trooper]

Two years after I thought I had the console properly back together, now I think it probably is thanks to everyone's input. Any exact placement issues on the shift pattern plate or was it centered, toward the driver side? Any instructions for the worker, or was it pretty random?

[Corey Bowcutt]

I am not sure it should even have that shift pattern plate?

[Tired Sheep]

Not used on your cat

[Grouper Trooper]

Thanks, it will be heading to the dark drawer of other useless chotskies.