Center console?

[Richard48Y]

Seems the center console is one of the harder parts to locate.
Thinking of making one.
What are originals made of, fiberglass, steel, aluminum, cardboard?
Any drawings available?

[Grumblebuns]

All of the originals ones I've seen were made of plastic, ABS?

[SilverBeast]

Lotus supplies have them https://www.lotus-supplies.com/part-category/interiors/fittings-interiors/

[BDA]

The originals were made of pretty thin vinyl. The reproductions are generally made of ABS although I've probably heard of one being made from fiberglass. I think your best bet is to get one from Lotus Supplies. Be ready to do some trimming to get it to fit. I say that because I had to trim the one I got (I don't remember where I got it so the Lotus Supplies version may not need it.

[Richard48Y]

Never saw them when visiting the site before.
One more item to save my pennies for.
Have to pay for some bumpers first.

[Exlimey]

Richard ,same source as bumpers has a oatmeal center console. Bruce.

[BDA]

Chrome bumpers are likely to be hard to find and rechroming old ones is likely to be pretty expensive. There are some really good chrome paints you could paint Lotus Supplies' fiberglass bumpers with that would end up looking very much like the original bumpers. Or you could do without bumpers altogether.

I would say that the bumpers do a very good job of spreading the load of a hit across the entire front (been there!) or rear of the car and if for no other reason, one might want to have real metal bumpers for that purpose.

[EuropaTC]

As already posted, the originals were thin ABS and easily cracked.  IIRC some of the very last ones were vinyl covered for the TC specials.

I have one from Richard at Banks (now Lotus Supplies ?) which is vinyl trimmed fibreglass and really excellent. It fitted perfectly and definitely lifts the interior.

Brian 

[S2Zetec54]

Another vote for Banks trimmed fibreglass console…very smart and robust

[TurboFource]

I was amazed at how flimsy the original center console is....

[dakazman]

  I agree, both the console and the binnacle are substandard . I fabricated fiberglass molds and will later start to make copies of both. The console will not have the ashtray or window switch holes.
Plus a full fiberglass crashpad that I’m ready to paint instead of covering in leather.
That’s another work in progress..
Dakazman

[Music City Lotus]

I just got a Banks center console with arm rest for my S2. Very sturdy fiberglass, nicely upholstered with vinyl, the arm rest has the correct basket weave. An unbeatable package for the price! Same goes for the rest of the interior offerings. I ordered every single thing. The binnacle is fiberglass, the glove box correct cardboard. All seat cushions have the correct basket weave and ribbing and are sewn well. Can't say anything to the fitment yet, but so far it all looks very good. For a price you could not do it yourself.

[Triton]

I bought a centre consul from Banks and was very impressed with the quality. I just had to cut the holes in the vinyl for the window switches, the holes in the fibre board behind are already there so no problem. I also got my seat covers from Banks, i used my original cushions which were very good and the covers were a perfect fit.I must admit that a friend did the upholstery bit for me so that helped.Just be ready to use to use a lot of evo-stick glue.  Stuart.......

[Richard48Y]

Got to work with an original over the weekend.
To call it flimsy is an understatement and it is clear that heat warps them.
So it looks like it will be a Banks part.
Seems I will be a working stiff for a while longer.

[Clifton]

I also got my seat covers from Banks, i used my original cushions which were very good and the covers were a perfect fit.I must admit that a friend did the upholstery bit for me so that helped.Just be ready to use to use a lot of evo-stick glue.  Stuart.......

How hard was it for him to install? I may go this route rather than have someone local recover them. How come so much glue? I have never done a seat.