1965 3.8 S Type Manual OD console
 

Hi all, I'm doing a ground up full restoration of a 1965 RHD 3.8 S Type Manual OD on wires.

I have 2 consoles for this car & both have lost stiffness & I'm reluctant to reupholster either with my John Skinner upholstery kit.

Does anyone know of an accurate reproduction console that I can purchase & start with.

Any help much appreciated.

as far as I know, nobody makes a reproduction console for the classic S type; You might find one in a salvage parts car?

what I would do is preserve the original console, reinforcing and stiffening the original console with fiberglass & resin, a lot easier to do. I assume you already removed the vinyl and leather coverings from the console "form"? apply fiberglass material and resin over the weak areas using a fiberglass kit (fiberglass and resin). I recently repaired modern plastic door panels/cards that crack from wear and tear, with a fiberglass kit sold by the Bondo Corporation and other restoration suppliers. It positively fixes the problem and stiffens the cracked areas better than new. The below pictures show the repair I did. I also added fender washers under the fiberglass to reinforce the mounting screw points. (not a Jaguar but the idea applies to any car repair).

Thanks so much for the reply Jose. I think this is the most sensible fall back for the console. The washer idea is excellent. I have not stripped upholstery from either console yet. My restorer said he had heard that someone in Canada was making a repro. I've asked Bas & they know nothing about it.

you welcome Glyn. maybe someone made one for himself/herself in Canada? was it as good as the original? I have my doubts. Restoring the original is a lot easier.

I'm planning on modifying my console to have a small compartment between both seats, there is an attached "lid" already there, all that's needed is a hinge system and a spring catch. I'm thinking of "pantograph" type of hinges which raises the lid and then moves it back. (you can see this system in portable lifts for motorcycles). We'll see how I do it.

just for fun, look at this site where the guy built a center console:

Center Console