| Classic Mini DIY Guides
- Make Your Own Centre Console
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The Perfect DIY Centre Console
5 Steps To The Ideal, Custom-Made Centre
Console For Your Mini:
1. Print Off The Template
The template saved as a pdf (preview shown below) and attached to this post
is drawn in A1 scale. If printed on A1 paper it should come out the perfect
size to draw round for your design. If it's not possible to print on A1,
just print the biggest scale you can in order to take the measurements from
the print-off.
Download the Template from
Here (PDF)
2. Cardboard Copy
As all minis are slightly different in shape and size (thanks to the
'sledgehammer' technique employed in the factory!) this template is only
made as a rough guide. Because of this, it's best to make a cardboard model
of the centre console to trial-fit it in your car and chop all the bits and
bobs off that you need to! PS. This particular model (as you'll see later)
is designed to house a cup-holder and coin drawer not a stereo so the slot
marked will need to be adjusted to your personal needs.
3. The MDF
Now it's time to make the actual centre console! I used 8mm MDF and drew
round my perfect-fitting cardboard model and then cut it out with a jigsaw.
My design revolves around using simple knock-down joints with nuts and
bolts. This design allows many test-fits and adjustments without
deterioration of screw-holes etc.
Once the design is all cut out and drilled,
test-fit it all together out in the open before trying it in the car. Below
are some images of my centre console outside the car, you'll notice that I
cut a foot-hole out of the right-hand side. This is because I have very
large feet (easy ladies!) and need the extra space for my clutch foot. This
also involved cutting a bit out of the horizontal section to make the curve
perfect and make it look professional.
As you can see, it's taking shape now!
After this stage I cut the slot for the cup-holder and coin drawer but you
can put whatever you want onto the console, be it a stereo, some air-vents,
a CD holder, a cup-holder? the possibilities are endless!
4. Coverings
I'm assuming you've already decided how you want your centre console to look
so have chosen some suitable coverings. Once you know the console fits
perfectly (i.e. you've test-fitted it in the car) it's time to cover the
sections. I chose black leatherette for my side-sections (didn't feel at all
pervy going in and asking for that honest!) with some foam underneath to pad
it for the professional look. As I've got a walnut dash I decided the centre
section should be done to match. I tried real walnut veneer first of all
(available on Ebay) but I couldn't get the finish I wanted so eventually
opted for the Halfords stick-on walnut film stuff. It actually looks more
like the Rover walnut than the real veneer ever did!
5. Fitting
Once all the modifications you want have been made you can fit the console
into your car for the final time and enjoy it!
The below photos show the things I've done to my centre console. There's a
coin tray (on the left) and a cup-holder (on the right). Below that section
is a 3-point cigarette lighter socket which is wired directly to a live feed
so that I can run phone chargers etc from it.
At the very top are two LED lights which when switched on illuminate the
oh-so-annoyingly-dark switches all of our minis have!
Anyway, I'm fairly pleased with mine, you
can make yours however you want, I hope my instructions and template help!
Alex_Morley
Mini DIY Guides
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