
If you notice, the boot has a baseball stitch on the outside of the seam. (similar to a Red stitched JDM shift boot) Since this part is long NLA and the boot in my caR does not have this stitch, I decided to improvise. My wife's mother is a old school seamstress so I put her up to the task to see if she could duplicate the '97R shift boot.
OEM JDM Red Stitched Boot -

'97R Boot Replica

Side by Side and underside comparison




I think she did an awesome job. Size is on point, and quality is great. I know there are others out there that may be in the same situation as me and can't find, or don't have this boot. I have not yet seen this boot on any '98R that I have browsed through, so unsure if it was '97 only.
Is there anyone out there that would be interested in purchasing these if she made a bunch? I would have to talk material cost and time for her to produce them in quantity, but if this is something that is NLA and she can replicate it maybe we can get a few made and sold to those who need them / want them.
Thanks for reading! Any and all feedback is always welcome! Also if anyone has solid info on if this was a '97 only or '97-'98 that would be awesome!