Manta center console mods

[GoinManta]

Got a center console out of a 240sx (early 90s) when I was working on doing a KA24DE engine swap. Always knew it was a close match.

Well I was cleaning out my garage I found the old 240sx center console. At the same time my son was asking about doing something for cup holders and arm rest.

Well using a cup holder that I got from Walmart (Kind you shove between two seats and has two cup holders and a coin area) The front half of the Manta console and the back half of the 240sx console and voila ..

The interesting thing is the hole for the ebrake of the back-half was a perfect size and location. the hieght of the mid section was within a 1/2" of the Manta one so they really mated together well. The length of the cup holder was also a perfect match.. it was really quite wierd.

So you lose the ashtray, but you gain an extra accessory cigarette lighter (for Ipod, etc..) 2 cup holders, an arm rest and a storage area (under the arm rest). If you were to install power side view mirrors, there were controls for that next to the cigarette lighter (I blanked it out.. )

OK.. so my skills in covering it in vynil could be better. But it looks pretty good..

Will have better pictures tomorrow of it next to the one in the car and in mounted in his Manta.

Charles

[booeman]

cool idea charles. cup holders in the wagon would be a good thing !!

[GoinManta]

Should work on all Mantas and Asconas no matter year..

Just wish I hadnt got caught up in the moment and had pictures of how I did it..

Charles

[Aardvaark]

Neat idea. How common are these in pick a parts type places?

[GoinManta]

In our area, it seems the early to mid-90s 240sx is fairly common, usually 2-3 in the pick-a-parts here. I assume they are more common in areas like california, florida, etc..

The cupholder I cut up and used is currently at any Walmart ($4-5).. I will try to get a better picture of it.. The cup holder is about 12"x3" and has about a 10" long thinner "leg" on it that is ment to slide between seats.. its not very good in that application. But cut the "Leg" off of it and it makes for a good cup holder insert into the assembly though.

Charles