Consoles

[78Nova]

Does anyone know what year console would mount correctly between two retrofitted bucket seats in a 78 Nova? I see some later year models available on line, but I am not sure if they are curved correctly to work.

Thanks

Joe

[novabjovi]

What do you mean by retrofitted? Changing a bench to any type of bucket seats or to the factory buckets that were in some Novas. Are you able to locate a factory auto or manual console to use?

[jade76]

Camaro consoles will probably be the closest to a good fit, but they are narrower and don't really sit on the trans tunnel very well. The only correct fit would be another 4th Gen console.

The 73-74 consoles should be the same too and they're available in reproduction through Classic Industries.

[Green Dragon]

I'd say best choice would be 4th gen X-body console if you can find one ( if from a donor car, be sure to get the brackets,etc to save fabrifation).

2nd Gen Camaro / Firebird should be ok ? might be 'flatter' . wider, will have to check the 75 firebird console I have into my 76 Nova .

Maybe a 3rd generation, or I'd try G body ( Monte Carlo SS, Grand National,etc.. or even 78+ Malibu ).

the 73-4 small console might work, but I think they look silly, so would go for the larger long console style.

Do you have a shifter already ( stock or add-on ), or do you need a console with shifter,etc ? ( might make a difference in what stock console shifters will hook up ok,etc) .

good luck,

~ AL

[78Nova]

The "retrofit" seats are from a 1994 Firebird. Donor X bodies are in short supply around here, at least from what I can find. I was just curious if a different...more readily available console would work and look right. I have an auto on the column, but I want to put the shifter on the floor. My original thought was to do this without a console, but I really do like the look of a console.

Thanks for ya'lls input.

Joe

[Green Dragon]

I know what you mean about donor x-bodies, none left in NY , that's for sure.

I'm guessing the console that was with the seats you have is too wide for an older car ?

has to be something that would fit, I'd grab a tape measure, measure between your seats and hit the boneyard.

I've seen consoles from 80's front drivers, like Grand-Am or Cavalier used with an aftermarket ( ala B&M,etc) shifter and custom top cover, looks good if you have the fabrication skills.

Not sure what cars you're finding to chose from, most 80's vintage stuff is gone from NY as well.
I'd stick with my original reccommendation to try G body and similar ( Malibu, Cutlass, Monte SS, etc ), I do run acrossed Monte and such occasionally here in NY because they all rusted out, elsewhere maybe people are hanging onto them .

Also note that if you find a Monte SS, they have great aluminum rear brake drums that fit right onto a Nova. :-)

~ AL

[WarChilde]

I took a console out of an Olds Cutlass Supreme, looks pretty sharp I think. I'll take pics of my car and upload for you to see. I like the way these look better than the Chevy ones. My '78 Nova had a bench seat, which I swapped out for a set of Carroll Shelby buckets (now broken, HA! they were from his '90's series Chrysler deal, forget what cheapy car it was).

[Green Dragon]

I took a console out of an Olds Cutlass Supreme, looks pretty sharp I think. I'll take pics of my car and upload for you to see. I like the way these look better than the Chevy ones. My '78 Nova had a bench seat, which I swapped out for a set of Carroll Shelby buckets (now broken, HA! they were from his '90's series Chrysler deal, forget what cheapy car it was).

would love to see more photos, so post away ! :-)

~ AL

[WarChilde]

Here ya go! (http://my.opera.com/WarChilde/albums/show.dml?id=105729)

I tried to get different view of the console for you.

[Novajay]

Console looks pretty good. Almost appears stock.

[jade76]

I had a console just like that a while back. I was gonna put in my 76. I was told it came out of a Pontiac. I like the way it goes up under the dash with the sliding compartment lid, but didn't like the way it mounted on the trans tunnel, so I sold it to a guy in CA that had an Omega.

Still looks good in yours though!

[WarChilde]

There is a console from a black '77 Nova Custom Cabriolet, wonder if I should pull it out. It's in pretty decent shape, color is red. Black exterior color and red interior.

[Green Dragon]

That console looks good in there.

I have that exact console sitting in the shop, from a 75 Cutlass 442... might have to fit it up tot he Medalist, right color and all :)

And if you run acrossed a console in the boneyard, YES grab it quick, if you don;t use it, someone will certainly want it ( get the shifter, too - I've seen console with shifters bring over 100.00 online ) .

your car on the pics page looks good, I always liked those Fbody wheels myself.
looks pretty solid and should be a great ride once done, just needs a lot of tlc.

~ AL

[WarChilde]

I decided to pass on pulling the console. Not worth the money he wants for it. It'll just be another part sitting in storage for me.

If somebody wants it, then I'll pull it, otherwise it's going to sit there.