Chrome Plated Shift Lever - Late S3

**vf31rhill** · #1 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 09:52 AM

Hello,
Got my shift lever chrome plated instead of the factory black paint. Always remembered the chrome shifter on my old 1300 Spider and could not understand why Alfa discontinued this practice. $$$ I suppose. My 1988 S3 is black outside and the console and shift and brake boots are all black. So I decided a little chroome would be a welcome and attractive change for the better. Cost was about $30.00. I aquired a spare shifter, so there was almost no down time in making the change.

This just for what it is worth.

Robert
1988 Black Spider Veloce

**Tifosi** · #2 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 10:12 AM

More pix when installed please.

Now all you need do is try to get the levers on the climate control and perhaps the p-brake lever chromed to match the shifter

If you had a 85 or older, you coulda got chrome bezels for the triple gauges in the upper console to accent too.

Ponderance:

If you really wanted to carry the theme, it might be interesting to scav up some plastic chrome rings and trim out the gauges in the monopod, though that may be getting a bit carried away.

the_sicilian · #3 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 11:14 AM

my friend Eloy took his S4 to the extreme And changed the gauge cluster for a digital version of the S2 gauges and even did the three gauges where the heater vents are. it looks really good actually and works better than the old analogue gauges.

**vf31rhill** · #4 (**permalink**) 10-28-2009, 04:49 PM

As always, spoke too soon. When I was changing the shifter, I discovered the inner shift boot is torn in 2 pieces. So no down time on the shifter change, the down time is in ordering a new inner shift boot and waiting for it to arrive. You cannot win over an Alfa! They are all protected by some sort of contrary God who does not appreciate that you actually have good intentions toward the car.

Robert
1988 Black Spider Veloce

Carro-Kann · #5 (**permalink**) 10-29-2009, 08:25 PM

Looks good to me. I was told that in the 80s on up most convertible cars were made with less interior chrome because the reflection from sunlight. I don't know how true that is. Regardless chrome looks nice.

P.S. The previous owner of my 1983 spider used to fill the leaking transmission through the top shifter (I have since rebuilt the trans.)