Home Made Console

Hi guys - my name is Darren, I look after my wifes mini's.

She has been looking at centre consoles, armrests and dashes for ages (for her 86 mayfair) but couldn't find one that looks right in the car.

So I made one for her, will be adding armrest and dash in the next couple of weeks.

12mm mdf, an old leather sofa, rover800 clock, omega gaitor and some black vinyl.

I downloaded a template from here - but had to modify it. Also had to change the gear lever hole as Rosalind's mayfair is an auto.

 rosalinds_console4.jpg   141.55K   225 downloads

looks really good, well done

what are the switches?

That looks the absolute business!
I'd sure be very proud of myself.
I'd say you should do it for a living, but i'm thinking there would be some deficit along the lines if you have to hack up a sofa every time you make one.

Jokes aside, I really could look at the picture all day.

thanks:)

THe sofa was my parents - they took the leather off before dumping it. I reckon I could make around 4 more consoles and a few armrests out of it. The MDF is free and I have tons of it. I had to spend around £12 in total as I already had most of the materials laying around. £7 was for the clock and gator. I used some foam to 'pad' the side panels too...gives it a nice 1960s sports car feel.

The clock is working and lights up when you turn the headlamps on (there is a spare spade connector on the fuse box (bottom right) so you don't have to mess with the existing wiring. You also need a permanent live for the clock. At the moment the swtches illuminate when you turn the headlights on but don't do anything, although I do intend to connect them up as they are standard Rover switches (another trip to the scrap yard is in order). One for the fog light and the other for the hazzards. I thought about getting the dimmer working using a simple circuit based on a 555 IC, but its alot of work for something that will never get used.

The black vinyl is going to be replaced with something textured and I might change the layout of the clock (move it up) and put in a little storage area.

Originally I was going to make a black/red dashboard, but looking at it, it realy has to be walnut. So I am going to have a trip to the tip this week to see if there are any old burr walnut wardrobes!! (seriously). Its much more satisfying making this stuff yourself.

The whole thing unscrews from the sides (the MDF is drilled and rawl plugs glued for obvious reasons) and it has to be taken apart before fitting or removing it. I can take the middle bit out without the sides though.

The template available on here has to be modified - if anyones interested I could upload the plans.

Nice job

nice.
although now you gotta change those mats because they look out of place

Very nice! well done

Nice job, matches perfectly with the rest of the interior.

Anyon have suggestions on car mats that would match the console? I have looked everywhere but can't find anything that looks right.