Upgrade Your Cabin with a New (or Classic) Center Console

Front-row bench seats are a thing of the past. They were replaced decades ago by bucket seats, which are now ubiquitous in new cars. This shift in interior car design creates a space for the all-important center console. These components of all shapes and sizes serve the vital role of storing stuff and providing a comfortable armrest.

While you can restore (rather than replace) many tired old center consoles, some console covering material and hinges may be too far gone. If your cabin console is in bad shape (or missing), it’s time to peruse eBay’s extensive inventory of new, used, and restored classic center consoles.

Straight-up Replacement of New for Old Console

If you have a hoopty with a torn-up or otherwise substandard console, it’s a simple job to swap in a different unit.

Consider the many generations of the mighty Honda Civic. Honda offered center consoles with armrests, but many classic Civics leave your arm hanging.

If your car’s console lacks an armrest or other desirable features, it’s quick and easy to bolt in a new Honda console. Or, if the armrest’s cover is in bad shape, it’s even cheaper and easier to simply replace the cover.

Want to make a big change to the cabin with minimal investment? Carbon fiber wrapping turns an ordinary console into something special.

Add Style with a Classic Center Console

The chrome is pitted and the plastic is cracked. But this 1964 Impala SS 409 survivor console is still gorgeous.

Retro-inspired interior mods have pros and cons. For example, swapping in a center console from a classic muscle car or an Italian sports vehicle sounds like a fabulous idea until you consider the realities. In other words, it might look cool. But will it fit?

That question is answered with careful measurements for all dimensions. Find one that fits and you could be rewarded with a stunning addition to the cabin.

Make it High Tech

Some aftermarket center consoles offer integrated USB ports.

Adding functionality to an existing console follows one of two paths. If the console has empty blanks to accommodate additional switches, they’re easy to add, straight out of the OEM parts bin. This is one of the slickest ways to accommodate auxiliary light and window switches.

If your current console doesn’t provide a prominent spot for an additional 12-volt outlet or USB ports, you’ll need to grab the Dremel Tool and get to work. Finding the right place to mount (or hide) those ports is half the battle. Careful planning, measurement, and wiring are key.

The primer gray Civic console is a work in process. Fitting an iPad mount is next on the to-do list.

Need a more drastic change? The big crazy happens when you break out the fiberglass cloth, resin, and Bondo. You might even go so complete bonkers that you entirely delete the cupholders and replace them with a cabin-installed iPad or Android tablet.

A Center Console Racing Strategy

Speedway’s lightweight racing console offers a handy spot to mount ignition and cut-off switches.

If you swapped out the stock seats for a set of racing seats, you probably want to ditch the armrest. The entire original console should go away when weight reduction is paramount.

Some consoles are considerably heavier than others. If your speedster is a street car that retains carpeting, you can look for a lightweight fabricated composite or aluminum console to keep things tidy.

After installing or upgrading your center console, consider eBay’s wide assortment of shift boots and knobs.