The pricing and availability of center consoles that will fit a TR6 (and
other TRs) seems to have sparked a lot of interest. There is no question
that aside from being one of the best looking after market ideas for our
Triumphs, the functionality of such a product is very real; A right arm rest
can make even short drives that much more enjoyable, but more importantly,
the storage space under the professionally upholstered flip-up rest provides
an easily accessible alternative to the standard TR glove box which even
with a thumb pull installed can be a bit of a chore to open.
But $500.00 plus???? I dont think so! Here is what turned out to be a
really great alternative. I searched EBay for a used center console from a
1989-92 Toyota Camry.
After a bid less battle (I was the only person in the world it seems
seeking such an item) I was able to buy it for Two dollars and ninety nine
cents ($2.99 + 12.00 shipping).
When it arrived all that was necessary was to measure carefully and trim off
the forward section of the console (accomplished with a hack saw in about
ten minutes). And presto!!! an absolutely perfect fit --- looks even better
than the early Amoco unit available through North American Triumph dealers
and, having see several of the California units now presenting themselves on
EBay, I would have to say that it has a more professional look to it than
even that unit.
As an added bonus built into the section that has to be cut off is a rather
ingeniously designed, perfectly flat, metal, pop-out, two cup holder, which
when removed from the un-needed portion of the front console just happens to
fit invisibly under the passenger side dash board. In addition the console
comes with a built-in electrical on/off push button which I have decided to
use to control the driving lights that I have had sitting on a shelf for
some time. I have held off installing these lights because I was hesitant to
disrupt the original configuration of the Tr6s dashboard controls for the
electrical switch.
I will post a link to a picture of the completed installation as soon as I
have some extra time. As much as I encourage and admire individuals and
small companies supporting our cars with interesting and useful after market
products, the $500.00 plus that has been seen in recent EBay auctions could,
as my wife has at times suggested about me, lead others to believe that when
it comes to our beloved Triumphs, some of us have more money than brains.
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