Consoles

[Edbert]

I pulled my console out of storage last weekend and was surprised at how bad it looked next to my fresh interior (paint/carpet/dash/doors/etc.). It is really in very good shape for an original one, does need a new sliding door, but still looks just...OLD in there.

I was hoping someone made the '68 Shelby console with brushed aluminum instead of the fake wood, but I could not find such things. There is one company that makes a similar unit, for the Eleanwhores. I asked them if they had one to fit a convertible (different floor) with a stock AT shifter and the brushed aluminum and they quoted me $595. That seemed really high considering that I did not choose any options like embriodery and gauges and switches and lighting though.

I see they now make repops (might be old news) for the 67 console, but at $1K I have to pass, they are just cosmetic and all, no place for an armrest or guages or power window switches which are all things that make a console actually functional IMO. Plus the price of the Scott Drake unit REALLY makes the $600 one seem like a good deal now.

Anyone know of any other options? Anyone have advice?

 

[RapidRoy]

Do you like the looks of the original? If so, and it is in good condition, you can re-furbish it. I assume it's a '67? I just re-painted all the black on mine, taped off everything and used spray paint. I spent some time cleaning up and shining the outside chrome. I cleaned the brushed aluminum as best I could. The console actually looks pretty good now. I considering the Burton overlay kit for the brushed aluninum, $'s at $185, but I've heard good things about it. And it's a good investment fixing up your console, these and fold-downs are going for big bucks these days.

 

[68stang351]

I took the "Po-boys" approach and modified a fox console for mine. Just had a couple laying around so I thought "what the hell". I have nothing but a can of interior paint in it, besides the switches. I still have some work to to on it though, towards the top where it meets the dash, but you get the ideal.

 

[Edbert]

Roy, So how much are they getting for them? I figure mine should be much rarer for a convertible (different floor) and A/C car (shorter console up front). I always did like the look of the original, the '67 deluxe interior is one of the best interiors FoMoCo ever made in my opinion. My second thoughts about using it are twofold, one it looks kinda rough compared to the fully restored interior and two, it is really not a very functional piece. I was thinking about taking the metal in to have the brushed surfce redone by a machine shop, the rest can easily be cleaned up by me with some elbow grease. I do need the new sliding door thing, but those are $45 just for the part (!!!).

68stang351, that looks pretty good in there, once you fix the part under the radio at least (grin), are you using the emergency brake from the fox too?

Did ya'll take a look at the link I put in the initial post? They look pretty good, I think it's the same outfit Pete (Reen) put in his clone. I was gonna post some of them but the are huge, check these pictures out:

http://www.mustangponycars.com/members.htm

The $600 is starting to sound better and better for a bolt-in, also solves my isue of where to mount my tans-temp and fuel gauge. I had planned on using the A-pillar pod but they don't fit verts. if you look close they are using a shifter bezel from a standard interior car for the shifter, I'd have to buy one of those too.

 

[jikelly]

600 for a console??? WOW!!!

I'm going to get my wife to fab one up for my 73 conv. It'll be nice to get rid of the window hanger cup holder.

 

[Edbert]

600 for a console??? WOW!!!

That's almost the exact words I used when I got the quote, the actual words aren't allowed here. But then I saw how much they (Scott Drake) wanted for a repro of the original one, they want a cool grand for them!

 

[RapidRoy]

Check ebay for going rates, I've seen poor ones go for $350 and good ones for $600 up. You've seen how expensive the reproductions are and many including myself usually consider original equipment parts to be much better. I agree they are not that functional, but they are retro and cool. You have a neat place to put your seat belts. Back seat passengers have an illuminated ash tray. Not saying I would use it, but it was neat back in the 60's. Mainly it looks good, and matches the deluxe '67 interior.
Do your best to re-furbish it, then place it in the car. Either you will like the way it looks and keep it, or you can sell it for a higher price since you have fixed it up and use that money towards an alternative.

 

[68stang351]

68stang351, that looks pretty good in there, once you fix the part under the radio at least (grin), are you using the emergency brake from the fox too?

My e-brake system needs some work anyway, so I'm thinking about using the fox handle too. (I have lots of parts and parts cars sitting around)

If I had the money to spend, I would buy one like Reen's, man that thing is nice. But I'm just to poor. Actually now that I think about it, someone gave me the switches I have in my console, and I had the paint left over from something else, so I really don't have anything in that console. I just have to make do with what I can scrounge up/afford. Looks pretty good for 0$ and maybe an hour of work huh?

 

[68EFIvert]

I made my own console. I now have 4 gauges in it. The fourth is a boost gauge.

 

[Bullitt]

68EFIvert, do you have more pictures of the fabrication or drawings?

I'm tempted to make one up and pay an upholstery shop to do the covering since I'm fairly inept when it comes to that sort of thing...

 

[68EFIvert]

I don't have any more pictures of the build process. I get so involved in trying to get things done while the kids are taking naps I forget that kind of thing. I made the console out of 11/32" plywood (over kill on thickness). I used 1*2" wood to construct a frame structure. I made the pattern by cutting a large cardboard box the shape I wanted. I think it was 43" long including the rear cup holders. It works great for me. The gauges are easy to read, the power window switches are easy to activate &, the cup holders are in the right spot. I am very pleased with the end results.

My car is at the body shop right now or I would snap some pictures of the underside frame/support structure. It looks rather crude from the underside but it is very functional. The best part is nobody will have one like it.

I had an upholstery shop match the fabric of my Procar Rally seats. IIRC he charged me about $250 to cover it. I am into the whole thing, less the gauges and window switches less than $300. The extra $300 I saved over the 68 shelby console I also looked at payed for all my gauges, switches, speakers and wiring for the stereo system.

 

[Tim65GT]

I made a custom console too:

buncha pics here:
http://s50.photobucket.com/albums/f315/Tim65GT/Console/

 

[Edbert]

Dang, nice work you two! You guys have some skills with wood. How do they attach to the car, gravity? I also notice that Tim's has a more sculptured base, sort of like the factory consoles did, was that done with trial and error...fitting/grinding/sanding until it fit just right?

Frankly though with $300+ into materials (more for me with the stainless requirements) and labor and aggravation I'm inclined to pay ~2X that and know it will fit. Besides, with the brushed steel inserts my fabrication skills would be taxed beyond my ability.

Unless of course you guys are interested in starting up a side business in these things

 

[68EFIvert]

Mine is a gravity fit. It is "wedged" between the area below the radio and the tunnel. The back fits snug between the Procar seats. That thing is not going anywhere. I have a plug that connects the wiring of the console to the car. Removal only takes a couple minutes.

As far as the difficulty, it wan't very bad. If I had to do it again I could build the frame structure in about 6 hours. Hand it over to an upholstery man and be done in a week. I will never start a business though. Even with a 100% profit it still isn't worth the headache of a business.

 

[68_stanger]

Building a center console is something i've been considering doing with my 68 this year. really only for 3 reasons, cup holders, armrest and speakers. The ones on here look good, when the time come I may be asking/looking for pics myself, good job.

 

[Tim65GT]

Dang, nice work you two! You guys have some skills with wood. How do they attach to the car, gravity? I also notice that Tim's has a more sculptured base, sort of like the factory consoles did, was that done with trial and error...fitting/grinding/sanding until it fit just right?

I have screws going through cross braces into the tunnel.

I used heavy cardboard as a template to get the scuptured custom fit.