Centre Console

[alanlad]

Hi
Thinking of a centre console in my morris. Any new ideas or information on this subject.
Does the Mini one fit?
Moved the dip from the floor and looking to not having the parcel tray as it seems a waste of space.

Thank you
Alan

[LouiseM]

There are some console pics and suggestions in this thread: http://www.mmoc.org.uk/viewtopic.php?f= ... it=console

[bmcecosse]

The parcel shelf is FAR from a waste of space ! I wish moderns had such a handy thing!

[alanlad]

Hi
The new ones don't as they are not safe.
Thank you

[Roni]

I have a parcel tray in the car and it is always full of useful things that are easy to see and get to. In the truck there is no parcel tray and the extra room for legs + feet under the dash is great. The useful things are behind the seats in the truck. I'm sure the truck would be safer for the knees in a crash. My "centre console" is my passenger seat with a non-skid mat on it.

[alanlad]

Hi
Never drive on my own so no room on the seat and you are correct about the space without the tray and bar. That bar is not safe that is the reason for me looking for a safe place to put my radio and a storage space. I've seen a centre console in a car and it looks good so there must be members that have fitted one.

Thank you
Alan

[bmcecosse]

Why do you think it's 'not safe' ? And plenty of room for my size 14s - so I think you will manage. Each to their own, but I have plenty of use for the parcel tray - and I do think a 'centre consul' looks pretty naff on a Minor. BTW - Minis never had a centre consul

[alanlad]

hI
Sorry for delay had laptop problems.
If you watch the dummies on safety tests you will see why there are no bars across your feet or radios fitted under dash.
As far as Minis not having a centre console when new, they also did not have seat belts so should we take them out as well.
To end this I've found the correct one and its off a 205 GTI ( 1983-1998 ). It fit's a treat, vents for hot air, space for radio ( I had a radio in the sixties ) and space for odds.
Thank you
Alan

[alexmcguffie]

I'd imagine a parcel shelf would do a great job of taking your knee caps off!

[bmcecosse]

No! It's padded and constructed of fairly light materials - if anything it will 'contain' your feet from flying around in an accident. My shelf is packed with hats/caps/gloves/dusters/OS Maps etc etc and is invaluable ! Centre Consoles just look naff in cars that are not designed with them......

[alexmcguffie]

If a parcel shelf will prevent injury then I'll fit them to my modern cars this weekend ...

[philthehill]

My 2004 Suzuki Wagon R has a virtually full width parcel shelf and very useful it is too.
It is hard plastic, at knee height and forms part of the facia. I would consider it less likely to deform than the one fitted to the Minor in the event of an accident.
Behind all that padding fronting the Minor parcel shelf there is only a piece of lightweight angle iron which has hardly any strength to it. Even in the Wagon R with all its air bags etc. my legs and feet will still flail about in the event of a shunt.

[GBond]

From what I've read but can't remember the source the parcel shelf was actually considered a safety feature since the bar helped prevent "submarining" or going under the dashboard in the event of a crash.
Granted this was in the days before seatbelts were in widespread use and I think nowadays most Minors do have them fitted in which case having or not a parcel tray would not make any difference in most accidents.