I’ve been working on completing the interior of the Olds and should be done soon. I just finished the center console today and hope to have it installed Friday when I return home. Can’t wait to get it back on the road. Here are some pictures of the console.

 

Like to see that installed!
very nice work.

 

Thanks. Hope to have it in this weekend. I’ll post some pics. 65 442.

 

Incredible craftsmanship! I'm motivated now to do the same. Factory consoles are nice on a restoration but on a non-valuable car I would like something like yours. What materials did you use?

 

Thank you! I used 1/2” pressboard for the sides and fabricated metal supports to attach it to. I modified the original rear mount to connect to the new console and made a metal frame which attaches to the floor which I attach the console up front. The unit is adjustable front/rear, side/side. I’ll post a picture of the frame but it is covered in wiring! Sculptable high density foam made the raised side accents and a faux leather vinyl material covering. I used the 3m 90 heavy duty spray adhesive since I can’t use the landau top glue in California!! I brushed the aluminum plate by sanding with 220 in one direction and followed up with a scotchbrite green pad. Then clear coated it with a spray can. It’s a tedious process but turned out pretty well.

here is a picture of the frame on the tunnel.

 

wow thats pretty great, nice work.

What are all the switches and gauges for and whats the section just fwd of the cup holders ?

 

Thank you. The switches are: left side; fuel pump, fan1, fan2, converter lockup, right side; open, open, radio, wipers. Window switches, red button is line lock, and a starter button goes into the empty center hole. The other panel is the electronic push button shifter. Also have paddle shifters on the steering wheel. Uses a Bluetooth connection. Works really well.

 

BTW- Dragline, I’m not sure what is considered a non-valuable car. I would argue that a restomod can bring equal or more money than an all original car. Specific cars excepted.

 

very nice craftsmanship!!

 

Thank you Eddie. It was a fun project. Took some time though! A few adjustments along the way.

 

No offense intended, I see you have a 442 and you are correct about restomods. Your car is your car. I have a Cutlass and a W-30. The Cutlass no limitations, the W-30 better off left stock.

 

No offense taken. What year is the w-30?

 

Bler:
I really like your concept for a more functional center console. I would really like to have cup holders in my '72 442 convertible but I like the look of the factory console and shifter. For my build, I'm using seats from a BMW convertible for the integral shoulder seat belt. These are not as wide as the Olds Strato buckets so I have a bit more room for something wider/larger. You have given me some good ideas. I see you have gauges in the dash and in the console: I assume the usual speedo, tach, gas, temp, oil & volt are in the dash. What are the 6 gauges in the console? And what seats are you using? They don't look stock! Thanks
Rodney

 

Hi Rodney. In the dash are the Speedo, Tach, Digital recall tach, Air/Fuel ratio, Fuel Pressure, Water Temp, Oil pressure. In the console are Fuel Qty, Oil temp, Trans temp, Boost, Nitrous pressure(used for brake pressure), Voltmeter. The seats are Recaro Ergomed ES.

 

It's a 1970, been off the road since 1997. Used to drag race it.

 

That brings back memories of my 72 Cutlass S. Same color. Wish I had it back. What are your plans with the W-30? Back to original?

 

Here is a photo of my 65. It’s a bit dusty from sitting in the storage facility. It’s home now and I hope to install the console today and go for a ride!👍🏻

 

Yes, just started. I saw a red supercharged 442 like yours at a Riverside cruise back in the late 80's. It put on quite show for the crowd.

 

That is a good looking car!

I'm curious if you'll have any problems with inadvertently hitting a switch at some in the future?

 

Like I tell my kids, keep your hands in your lap!

 

The console is installed.👍🏻 Still have a couple stereo connections to finish but everything else is up and running! Here is a picture.

 

Looks really good installed. You should get an image of the "flux capacitor" to display on the screen at car shows...

 

Drove the car this morning to our local Cars & Coffee. It was great to get it back on the road! Ran really well. Here is picture waiting in line to park.

 

What did you use to find the curves and angles of the trans hump to make your template . that is really beautiful craftsmanship and attention to detail

 

Thank you. I used cardboard and a hot glue gun for the mock-up. Worked well.

 

The build looks very nice. Good work