Radio Console

[drichards]

I have had a very good and helpful discussion with Chuck at Monocoque Metalworks in the US about the centre console for my Series 1, 3.8. On a previous rebuild Series 2 radio and centre consoles were installed! I now have the correct parts for the radio and centre consoles but was told that another piece is needed above the radio to take the ashtray, together with a strip of plastic. Has anyone rebuilt this section and maybe have some photos?I haven't yet contacted the usual suppliers in the UK and US (other than Chuck) to see I they can help.
Cheers

[kingzetts]

Its basically a flat rectangular piece of metal, with tabs at each end at 90 degrees with a couple of holes in each to take bolts which mate with the holes in the top edge of the lower console sides, and an oval cutout in the middle for the ashtray, trimmed in vinyl to match the rest of the interior.

Readily available from the usual suppliers, as are ashtrays, I think, and simplicity itself to trim. The piece of plastic bridges the gap to the fold-down gauge panel (if you have a gap - the more usual problem is getting the console low enough to clear the legend strip when folding down the panel!).

However, as an alternative, what I did instead was make a recessed switch panel to fill the gap, with a hinge-down panel with a cut-off ashtray front edge stuck in the middle. When closed it looks stock, but flip it down and you have room for switches for things such as (in my case) heated seats, radio aerial over-ride, radiator electric fan over-ride, and a slot to hide my iPod away.

[drichards]

I like it! Extremely helpful thank you.