Real 61 SS? - 4 Speed Shifter Console

[bubbletop61]

In most pictures that show the shifter in the 61 Impala, they depict a 61 Impala SS. Clearly the "console" was used in the Impala SS with the crossed flags, and striped alum. inlay, but does antone know what was used on the regular Impala, Biscayne, or BelAir. The original consoles appear to be quite rare
which is what leads me to believe that something else was used on the lower end models.

Also...I know the console requires a mounting bracket that screws down to the floor, but never having seen this how does the boot attach, and how were the carpet and under pad weather proofed aroung the opening by the factory? Whew that was a sentence!!!

Would appreciate any input you guys have on this? Tommy???
BBTP 61

[SteveD409]

I can't specifically state what the 61's used but the BelAir, Biscayne and even bench seat Impalas with 4 speeds in 63 just came with a round ring that screwed to the floor extension plate and a round rubber boot. There was a chrome ring on top and a plain steel ring below that. I'm going from memory here and sometimes that is flawed!;)

SteveD

[bubbletop61]

Thanks SteveD,
This is what I thought I remembered too, but hard to confirm in photos. By the way please check your PMs
Thanks
Gar

[Phil Reed]

Gar:

The 58-63 factory shift boot sealed against the floor pan with a steel retainer ring. It all fit under the carpet. The hole was cut in the carpet to fit under the shift boot so the ring was not visable from inside the car.

[real61ss]

Gar,
The other answers were correct. The console was only used in the Impala SS's. The SS console had a mounting plate that screwed to the floor board and held it in place, the SS boot also used the steel ring to mount it to the floor, then the boot had a "lip" on it that fit in the console. Hope that answered your question.

[bubbletop61]

Thanks Tommy. I appreciate your answer very much, as you have "The Reference" car. Is the rubber boot for the SS being re-popped with that lip in it? Are the repro consoles correct in all details, or are we better to search for an original and recondition it. My preference is always to original parts, even at 30 -50%higher finished cost. I would have gone for the console that was just on ebay but it was without the floor bracket, rubber or the steel ring for the floor.
Thanks
Gar

[real61ss]

Gar,
The repo consoles that I've seen are very correct. The repo boot is also nice. So far as I know, repo is the only way to go for the boot, I doubt you ever finding an original boot. There is someone selling the repo consoles on ebay for something less than $400. I don't think the bracket is exact but once it's installed, you can't see the bracket anyway.

[SteveD409]

Thanks Phil,
I'm gonna have to go out and check my Biscayne, I may have done it wrong!:(

SteveD

[bubbletop61]

Thanks to Tommy, Phil, and all for the info.
Tommy I hear ya about the bracket not being visisble once it's in there, but I would know. I remeber a day at Carlisle when I was facing the decision whether to buy the $200 pair of 5586 heads or the $400 set of 1147's... the numbers were going to be under the valve covers and who would know anyway...I mean other than me....doh!, I bought the 1147s, but still made a mistake, I should have bought both pairs!LOL Cheers
Gar