Interior Modernization Project, Part 15. Custom Center Console Modification

Because the Alcantara I ordered took so long to reach Cesar, he had meanwhile gone ahead and started work on another project - modifying the center console to accept the OEM Toyota Aristo rear center vent. This is something that had bothered me for a long time - I mean, are there really people driving around with their smoking buddies in the rear seat? If there are, I guess that explains the Puratron air purifier dealer option Nissan had, and without rear windows that roll down, I suppose a rear seat ashtray is needed...but as I don't smoke and I don't allow smoking, drinking or eating in my car, this ashtray is useless.

Does anyone actually sit in the BACK and smoke in these cars?

As before, I'll let the photos do most of the talking.

First, Cesar cut out the center part which previously held the ashtray

You can see that he crafted a metal frame for support. 

So that's what those round rivets are for.

Here you can see that the center console has a tray which the air vent will have to clear.

Test fitting the air vent. So far, so good.

Close up view. 

The next step was to apply some epoxy to smooth over the rivets 

Once the epoxy was dry the vent was test fitted again...

View from the side...

You can see how rough the epoxy texture is at this stage.

And when it was sanded down to a smooth surface.

From the side, you can see how the epoxy follows the curve of the air vent.

Another view point.

And so by now, you must be asking, how did it all turn out with the leather? Indeed, I had the same question and had to wait a few days for Cesar to send me pictures of the finished center console. So I will also tease you with those photos in my next post, ha ha.  Stay tuned!