I've seen it mentioned that to install a console taken from a 65 coupe to a convertible you have to "trim" the console. I'm talking about a non-A/C console. Has anyone ever done this, and are there templates out there showing what and where to trim?
Hello. The console for a convertible is different from the console for a coupe/fastback. I don't know of any template for triming one down. I would think that the way to go would be to put the console into the car and mark what needs to be cut and go from there in stages. I wouldn't try to hit it too closely. The consoles didn't fit so great brand new from ford. Hope that helps.
I've found out that both CJ Pony and NPD sell a "template" for the specific purpose of trimming a coupe console to fit into a convertible. Apparently the trimming takes place somewhere between the buckets. The template only costs around $5.00, so I'm going buy one and then very carefully follow the instructions. Your observation that even the new ones didn't always fit perfectly will make me feel a little better if I mess this up!
This raises another question. Have you ever painted or dyed a console base? The one I'm going to trim is an original 65 (black)and in surprisingly good shape. I'll likely completely refinish the base after trimming, so any extra insight you might have on the pluses and minuses on paint or dye would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks again for the advice. I'll post again once I've completed the project. If I don't mess it up too bad, I'll post some photos.
Hi again. If you have an original long console that doesn't have any cracks in it, you could probably get more for that on ebay than a new repop for a convertible would cost. You might want to consider pulling all of the trim plates and console door and stuff off and giving that a whirl and see how it goes. Set the reserve for like 40 bucks more than the new one costs and see if anybody bites. As far as painting one goes, it isn't a big deal at all. You need to get it veeeery clean and use a primer that is the most similar to the color you will paint it so that you don't clog up the grain trying to get good coverage. Some folks just mask around the trim plates and stuff, but I've gotten better results by going ahead and taking it apart. You have to be careful about snapping off those little studs on the bottom of the long piece when you loosen the nuts, but, other than that, there really aren't any pitfalls. What you see is all that there is. Hope that helps.
Last edited by Veronica; 06-05-2007 at 11:51 PM.
Reason: typing without glasses on
Thanks for the advice. I think I'm going keep this console and do as you suggested about removing all the trim and then applying a new coat of paint to the entire console base. I'm planning to take pictures to document the whole trimming and painting process. They might be helpful to someone (like me) planning a similar project down the road.
Hello. The console for a convertible is different from the console for a coupe/fastback. I don't know of any template for triming one down. I would think that the way to go would be to put the console into the car and mark what needs to be cut and go from there in stages. I wouldn't try to hit it too closely. The consoles didn't fit so great brand new from ford. Hope that helps.
What is being trimmed? the sides that meet the hump or the end close to the dash. I have a center consel from a FB and a CV and dont see a difference.
Thanks,
consoles are overrated. your lady cant get as close
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1965 Mustang Coupe Project: 1965 Mustang Inline 6 (For Now) Coupe, New Floors, New Quarters | Ford 9 Inch Rear, 11" Rear Disc Brakes, 3.50:1 Gears | Control Freak Front U/L Control Arms, Global West Adj. Strut Rods | KYB Gas-A-Justs, Grab-A-Trak 620 Coils & Mid-Eye 5-Leafs | Global West Tubular Subframe Connectors | Addco 1-1/8 Front Swaybar Kit
I see it now, CV and FB/CP consols are different. The CV consols are trimmed on the sides by the seat area to compensate for the extra CV floor structure.
I realize this thread is over a year old but I haven't found anything close to detailing the steps, pictures, for restoring a center console. I am very much a newbie, just bought my 65 A Code convertible a month ago, and would like to restore my console as well as it's original. All the articles I've found use repro parts, I'd rather not if I can do a decent job using my original console. Anyway if you ever got around to documenting your efforts I'd appreciate seeing your work.
I ultimately restored my console last year, and think I did a decent job. I managed to find an original convertible console on ebay so I never had to use the template, thank goodness. The console I purchased was in extremely good shape, with no cracks or breaks. I did have to re-paint it and also purchase a wiring harness and the hardware to install. What shape is your console in? It's not that hard to restore if it's not badly damaged. You just have to take your time and be careful. If you send me a PM, I'd be happy to share my experiences with my restoration project.
All the best!
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1965 Convertible 200 I-6, C-4 Auto (originally 3-speed manual) "Groovy Red" (originally Wimbleton White, then dark green) Newly restored and finally home!
1969 Mach 1 351 (W) 3-Speed Manual, Winter Blue, Deluxe Interior, All original, per Marti Report/Eminger Invoice. Finally moving her from the barn to the garage to begin work!
Did you take any pix of the convertible console you bought? I have one of the repro bases which is marked on the inside as to where to cut to make it fit a convertible. However, it says to cut it down to a point around the center screw. That seems like a lot of trimming that would make a weak spot at that screw location. I would appreciate a picture of how an original one was cut.
I think Dr Google may have answered my question. Here is a somewhat botched console (neither long, nor correctly short) currently(?) for sale in Calgary. I am assuming this is the correct shape for the convertible cutouts?
1965 Mustang Convertible Console 
The console for a convertible is different from the console for a coupe/fastback. I don't know of any template for triming one down. I would think that the way to go would be to put the console into the car and mark what needs to be cut and go from there in stages. I wouldn't try to hit it too closely. The consoles didn't fit so great brand new from ford. Hope that helps.
As far as painting one goes, it isn't a big deal at all. You need to get it veeeery clean and use a primer that is the most similar to the color you will paint it so that you don't clog up the grain trying to get good coverage. Some folks just mask around the trim plates and stuff, but I've gotten better results by going ahead and taking it apart. You have to be careful about snapping off those little studs on the bottom of the long piece when you loosen the nuts, but, other than that, there really aren't any pitfalls. What you see is all that there is. Hope that helps.
