Made a custom 3rd Gen Nova console

[Steelrat]

Have wanted a console with cup holders and a storage area to fit B & M Mega shifter. I have zero experience in this type of work, but it turned out ok.
Started with a neon console as it fit the tranny hump well, was long enough, fit between seats, etc

I am still not sure if I like the flat look or the vinyl paint look more. Opinions?



start

Fill in e brake hole and gap at back



shifter plate mock up


primer


stone sheild for texture eek!! goes on thick but wait

dries flat

vinyl paint to lid and console, add gauges and shifter plate and boot.





Notches at side of console are hidden below and between seats
Placed it in car for idea of look. Not secured to floor, nor is shifter plate secured in place yet. But gives an idea of how it will look.

[cheapthrillz]

Dude, that looks very nice! I voted for flat black because I think textured surfaces look better when they're not glossy...

[CruizinKev]

very nice man!!

x2 flat black paint

[Tom Welch]

He shoots, he scores! Great idea. Finding a console that works that good already built is a definite plus.

[cheapthrillz]

This is where it's at right here:

[oestek]

I like it! Great tip... holding on to that one for future reference! Nice job!

[67 ls1 vert]

What type of material did you use to fill in the P-brake hole? Bondo?

[jon72vega]

Excellent job!

[NovaPwr]

I know you did not list it as an option but I really like satin black on a lot of things. The one pic you posted and someone reposted sorta looks satin and I really liked it. Nice job on the console btw!

[LT1Nova]

I like it. Nice someone found a decent looking console that fits well. If I ever decide to do a floor shifter I'll keep this one in mind. I'd also like to know what you used to fill the openings and vote for a satin finish.

[Steelrat]

To fill the P brake opening I had a scrap peice if 1/8 plastic around from one of my kids old broken toys, an indoor basketball backstop. Made a tempate out of cardboard to match the opening, traced it on the plastic, cut it and then shaped it with bench grinder.

I glued some wooden blocks in about 1/8 " from the surface of the P brake opening for backing, then glued the peice of plastic in. Then a few bondo/sanding applications.

The upside to the stone sheild paint is that it fills in the imperfections and gives the textured look. It goes on like fine wet oatmeal. I just about crapped when I saw it on there. Then it dries flat and smooth, whew.

[80 MONZTA]

What kind of glue did you use to join the plastic together?

[Steelrat]

I know you did not list it as an option but I really like satin black on a lot of things. The one pic you posted and someone reposted sorta looks satin and I really liked it. Nice job on the console btw!

1 - Flat

2 - Vinyl Gloss

3 - Semi-Gloss/Satin


Winner is Door number 3!!- Semi-Gloss/Satin :D

[Steelrat]

What kind of glue did you use to join the plastic together?

Perma Poxy Ultrabond Plastic Adhesive
http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows...2BAdhesive.jsp

[NOT A TA]

Waaaay cool idea! Semi flat Krylon

[80 MONZTA]

That looks really good, I agree that semi-gloss is the best finnish for it. Thanks for showing it.
Now I am going to have to check out some Neons in the local yards. Is it pretty much hollow underneath? I will need to shorten one severely to fit. I really like the front section, but the arm rest may not fit my car at all.

[Steelrat]

Yes it is hollow underneath, with the exception the the cup holders. A fellow with a 1st gen Nova tried to use the same console, with the cup holders but they rested on the top of his tranny tunnel resulting in the console sitting too high at the front. He cut the front of the console off and this was the result. Looks great as well.



Check out 98 - 2004 Cavalier consoles as well, they are lower profile, not as wide and arm rest is lower. Got these pics from a 3rd gen Nova guy. This console would not work for my shifter.

[Steelrat]

Here are some dimension pics that may help. All measurements from flat surface vs on tranny tunnel. Sorry for blurry shots,
8" high at back of opening and 8 3/4" at front



14" high

39" long

[80 MONZTA]

I did notice the Cavilier one's before, just think the Neon looks better. I really like the built in area for gauges in the Neon one. But you are right, probably won't fit. If I can get them cheap enough I will pick both up and see what I can do with them.

Do you know how the texture was done on this one?

[Steelrat]

Do you know how the texture was done on this one?

Duplicolor truck bed paint made that texture. But, to get it like that you need to skim coat the entire console with bondo then sand it, as the Duplicolor truck bed paint will give a fine texture, but not go on the same over the bondo/sanded area and the bare console. The builder of this one advised me of this. I tried it, he was right.



Here is the thread from the builder.
http://www.stevesnovasite.com/forums...highlight=neon