Well I bought my car in early 2008 as a 2007 Ford of Canada demo but noticed after delivery of my car that there were many deep scratches in various spots of the console. Being the picky bastard I am I decided to go and buy one. Too much $$$ and the carbon fibre one was even more $$$. So I decided to take a look at options as to how I can make my console more unique. After watching Knight Rider and noting that the centre console was lacking cupholders I decided that was going to be my route. Well my centre console has been a painful one year long project and going through several iterations I finally had no choice but to settle on a simple design similar to Kitt. Since I don't allow any sorts of drinks in my car I came up with a plan to put some sort of pocket to store my phone and headset when traveling around but because of the unique rubber/plastic of the centre console I wasn't able to join ABS to it at all. Even the standard bondo would not adhere to the console so in the end I went with Acrylic and rivets to join the pieces together and used rubber bumper filler to smooth it out. Finishing was done with a alcantera material as opposed to painting for the simple fact that paint scratches too easily and the issue of paint adhering properly to that rubber/plastic crap they use for the console. Below are some pics of the various stages from start to finish. So what do you think?
Sorry for the somewhat large pics.

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I like it!

 

Nice job ...

 

Cool idea! I'd really miss my cupholders, though...drinks are definitely allowed in my car Gotta stay cool with the top down, and you can't really have too high expectations for a convertible staying clean.

 

Thanks guys! I really wanted to keep the cupholders initially thinking about storage for my phone/headset etc but said ah F$#% it LOL It was nice to have my car in one piece again after a year and a bit without it.

 

Love it. Wrap the radio/AC controls bezel in the same finish, it will look more coordinated

 

Actually I've been thinking about it actually. Not sure if will look good or not. I have been thinking of wrapping the lower gray sections of the dash/glovebox as well as the two gray pieces that surround the radio area. What do you guys think of that? Its more work but I think having that "T" area will look sweet.

 

I like the slide out version myself, what part did you swipe to try that?

 

Where did you find the alcantara? Is it the real stuff? Or is it something else?

Thanks!

 

Looks great! Would love to see a similar treatment to wrap some of the door parts in a similar material

 

The slide out version would have been ideal. That part was from my E46 BMW. It was a Europe part since the Europeans don't believe in cupholders. I agree on their thinking

Yes I agree! Hearing about that crappy job that Ford did on the door cards I am tempted to upgrade the door cards at least to match. Like I mentioned above, the dash looks tempting to do as well as doing the headliner as well. This will give me a true two tone look in my car. Black and gray interior.

I can actually now do the start button anywhere on the console if I wish now along with a slew of switches if I wanted to but I love the clean simple lines.

 

No answer on where you got the alcantera. You did quote my question though?

I would like to do my door handles with it.

 

Serious craftsmanship, nice work. Seriously though, no soft drinks?

 

This material was purchased a while ago and it doesn't seem to be on their website. Check it out and contact them. http://www.fabricut.com/index.php?id=1

Yeah no drinks. Bottled water is ok though. It's got a lid. Rarely does someone sit with me anyways and the only passenger that actually sits with me is my daughter and she is not a demanding person.

 

Nice work. The final product looks like Ford offered it as an option. Well done.