For the past few weeks I have been tinkering in the aerocoupe to fix some things that have been driving me crazy. The 2 biggest things being the ugly Pontiac GP center console and the half assed gauge panel I made years ago.
This is what I started with. Aluminum hydrodipped gauge panel and the center console got the same treatment. I liked it for about 5 minutes.
When I started on the new project I started with the console. A pretty simple design. 1/2" MDF with angle aluminum along the sides to mount the top panel. I also added 2 6.5" speakers in the front. The console lid/armrest is made from 3 pieces of the same MDF glued together and then sanded to form.
The biggest thing about making a console for me was to incorporate it into the dash somehow and to add a cupholder. Still not sure how to do the cupholder as of yet. I also added a Kenwood double din. Took a lot of space which required a relief section into the console panel.
With the new gauge panel I wanted to focus on gauge placement a lot more than I did with the old one. The old one was totally flat which made the gauges angle down and face my chest more. I wanted to add a new dimension to it all and give them an angle up for better visibility and looks. I also like how this new setup with the gauge panel and console makes the GP dash seem a little less big and bulky. More sporty, less luxury.
Which brings us to where it stands as of now. I opted for removable panels so I could pull the gauges out by themselves instead of pulling the whole piece which will be much trickier when everything is bolted up. Gauge panel is "done" which leaves the console to finish. With the huge size of the Kilduff shifters I'm left with a pretty limited selection on where to place the cupholder. I might opt for a setup under the armrest.
The console panel will be painted the same satin black as the gauge panel surround.
For the console base and armrest I really wanted to wrap them both in vinyl but that doesn't look likes it's gonna happen. I tried my hand at wrapping the armrest by itself and failed miserably. As of now the plan is to seal both and just paint them. Pardon all the dust. Any ideas/input/opinions?
This is what I started with. Aluminum hydrodipped gauge panel and the center console got the same treatment. I liked it for about 5 minutes.
When I started on the new project I started with the console. A pretty simple design. 1/2" MDF with angle aluminum along the sides to mount the top panel. I also added 2 6.5" speakers in the front. The console lid/armrest is made from 3 pieces of the same MDF glued together and then sanded to form.
The biggest thing about making a console for me was to incorporate it into the dash somehow and to add a cupholder. Still not sure how to do the cupholder as of yet. I also added a Kenwood double din. Took a lot of space which required a relief section into the console panel.
With the new gauge panel I wanted to focus on gauge placement a lot more than I did with the old one. The old one was totally flat which made the gauges angle down and face my chest more. I wanted to add a new dimension to it all and give them an angle up for better visibility and looks. I also like how this new setup with the gauge panel and console makes the GP dash seem a little less big and bulky. More sporty, less luxury.
Which brings us to where it stands as of now. I opted for removable panels so I could pull the gauges out by themselves instead of pulling the whole piece which will be much trickier when everything is bolted up. Gauge panel is "done" which leaves the console to finish. With the huge size of the Kilduff shifters I'm left with a pretty limited selection on where to place the cupholder. I might opt for a setup under the armrest.
The console panel will be painted the same satin black as the gauge panel surround.
For the console base and armrest I really wanted to wrap them both in vinyl but that doesn't look likes it's gonna happen. I tried my hand at wrapping the armrest by itself and failed miserably. As of now the plan is to seal both and just paint them. Pardon all the dust. Any ideas/input/opinions?
