So hit up the home-town car show with my Dad this weekend. As you can see, he's got a lot more Power Tours under his belt then I do!

After several long road trips, it's become apparent that a center console was a much needed addition...for both storage and a need for cup holders! Since my interior is mostly stock appearing and I like the looks of the factory console, I wanted to go that route. I raised the transmission tunnel quite a bit to gain clearance for the T56 so with the help of some folks on here sending me console dimensions I was able to summarize that it'd be close enough I could probably make it fit.
Anyway, I ordered up a console kit which arrived yesterday and went to work. I actually didn't have to cut it as much as I expected and I'm happy with the fit and appearance. I still have to do something with the wood grain, either paint it black or thought about having the parts hydro dipped to look like carbon fiber. My question is, now that I've got storage, I'd love to integrate some cup holders somehow but there's just no good place to do it. It's not a big deal except during longer road trips so I thought about 3D printing an insert that'd drop in where the factory seat belt buckle holders would be that would hold a couple of drinks. Then, when parked or not needed, can be pulled out and stowed away. Anywho,here's a pic of it mocked up, just ignore the wood grain!

Looks perfect!
I'm also trying to locate some cup holders, I like your idea of 3D printing some. If you are going that far and intend to only use them sometimes, what about doing individual ones and making them so they hang on to the side of the center console just in front of the front edge of the seat? Might be a way to make them so they flow nicely and be mostly out of the way of your legs. Might be easy to store 2 smaller parts than one big part, when not in use? Might be easier access to the cocktail in that location vs. the seatbelt spot?

I've sort of started my design and I'm trying to fit them in that location. Agreed, little real-estate here!

Hey John, thanks for the input, I hadn't thought about that but I'm liking the sound of it! That would also allow me to still use the seatbelt holder area for cell phone storage while driving, too...something I didn't wanna give up for cup holders but hadn't worked out yet either. I'll roll that around in my head and try to come up with something. It reminds me of those cup holders my Dad had in his truck when I was a kid, you know, those cheap plastic ones that hung on the door panel between the glass! Maybe we can bring those back in style, a more refined version:cheers:

I’ve seen guys recess a boat style stainless cup holder into the console lid. One guy cut foam that held a cup and placed it in the console.

Cup holder is the reason I like the newer consoles.

Finally got some spare time this weekend to get the console wrapped up. Let me just say, those console ash tray lid springs suck! Anyway, here it is assembled...

Here it is finally in the car...

Looking good!

Thanks, Kevin!

Looks super clean!!

:captain: