Midget Console

[budk1953]

Haven't posted in a while and haven't worked on the midget since early Spring (but gave it a lot of thought). Anyhow I've been trying to figure out how to redo the interior since the shifter moved back about 4" when the 5 speed went in. I decided to make a console since the only one I could find was a fiberglass generic and cost about $270.00 with shipping. Here's the results....

The form made of plywood and pressed board is on the top and the almost finished fiberglass console on the bottom.

Here's a dry fit.

I plan to carpet the sides and where it attaches to the front (to get rid of the black vinyl) and will probably put walnut burl formica on top.

Here's the formica.

If the formica looks ok I just might do the glove box door and the dash since new gages including volt meter and oil pressure, ignition switch, and indicator lites will be installed. The console will have Dun-Rite switches for lites, interior lights, wipers and washer, fan, and maybe a clock.

Here's the switch arrangement.

The console ended up costing about $85.00 in materials and maybe 2 days labor.

 

[Morris]

That's durn nice!!!

Will you make one for me? :wink:

 

[v8mgbal]

Looks very good can't wait to see the final product.

 

[jlaird]

Looks like a fun job.

 

[tweety]

I can't wait to see the finished product.

How are you going to finish the shifter?

 

[Woodie]

I am looking at the "bend" in the form at the upper left and right corners. Did you just bend the plywood/particle board to get that angle? If what I see is correct, the standard shifter position would still fit on the flat run, correct? or would the console need a deeper angle from the dash to accommodate the 4 speed position?

You say you will carpet the sides and Formica the top, what will you do at the edges where the carpet and Formica meet?
and
As Tweety asks how do you intend on finishing the shifter boot?

Where in the north east are you? I am in Ontario, and would love to get
a) you to make a fiberglass console ( I will gladly pay materials and shipping and profit)
B) send me the form and I will make my own and return the form to you
or
c) can you post dimensions (assuming the standard 4 speed shift location fits)
so we here on the forum can make our own form

Thanks

 

[tweety]

Man, I would kill to get my hands on that form, even a measured drawing so I can duplicate it.

 

[budk1953]

For the top I used 1/4" plywood which I wet at the bend area, clamped at the bend, forced it up almost to the breaking point and put a coffee can under for support. After a day it stayed bent. I screwed 1x strips underneath to fasten the sides. The form stayed together after fibergassing except for the pressed board that peeled apart, so I'll replace that with paneling just to keep the form intact.
The pressed board bent with a little pressure and stayed put with plenty of screws. The form should work with existing shifter location, I will confirm and post again. I have a oblong black shifter ring and boot for a MG that will fit nicely for size.
I plan to let the formica overhang on each side and install a edge trim something like this and butt the carpet to the bottom...

I have enough mat and plenty of resin to make another which I will probably do over the winter.

I'll either make a sketch or take another picture and add dimensions and post.

Added - been thinking about this and will add a layer of sheet metal over the form and will make another - this should prevent sticking...

 

[Woodie]

Thanks for the info, I'll gladly put my order in for the one you make over the winter. Pm me a price if interested, if not that's OK I will look forward to learning a new skill using fiberglass with the sketch and measurements you make.

Another question, Did you ever consider making a rise behind the shifter and turn the area into an arm rest rather than the flat run to the parcel shelf?

I think there will be more room for a CD player in this console configuration.

Thanks again for this info.

 

[budk1953]

I've actually looked into different center armrests and eventually might find something to mount there. Another consideration is a late model console that attaches to the side of the hump and folds up.

The console I made is only 1/16" thick but I reinforced corners and area from the shifter back with an additional layer, this allows the sides to be flexible enough to conform to the variations and bends along the sides. It also allows for trimming with tin snips. If I was going to install a CD player I'd probably laminate some reinforcement on the backside, but in my case the additional stiffness of the formica will be fine.

Just a note or two - this console doesn't go all the way to the floor pan (although the form can be modified) as I thought this would take up to much leg room, it will angle in to the existing. And there are some nice carbon fiber look materials available for the top also.

Woodie - I'll let you know if I do another one.

Bud