Stuartc
True Classic
One thing that used to distract from my pleasure of driving my ‘81 X1/9 (there wasn’t many) was nowhere to rest your arm on long runs when not requiring changing gears. I wasn’t going to accept this time around and also technology has moved along since my last X1/9 and now have mobile phones that need storing/charging/data connecting etc and I have a distinct hate of cables in the cockpit!
For this project I had 2 option.
1. The Fiat Barchetta’s centre console
OR
2. Universal fit centre console from a certain website!
The Fiat Barchetta’s storage is lockable, certainly attractive in a convertible and has either a velvet hand brake cover or stainless steel cover. This centre console needs a little modification but ultimately fits.
Option 2 is as follows and is universal in how it fits the vehicle, in our case not X1/9 specific but adaptable never the less.
As mentioned earlier main reason for centre arm rest, as name suggest is for something to rest your arm but I also wanted,
1. USB points
2. Ability to add a future QI Charger as my current IPhone ‘X’ Is not QI Charger compatible but future phone will be.
3. Added storage.
4. Somewhere to store phone away whilst driving (illegal in Australia to touch phone whilst driving)
5. Access to charging for passenger.
6. Totally removable and requiring any modification to originality of the interior of the vehicle thus removable and you’d never known it had been there! (Just so I felt better)
So surprisingly I decided on the second option even though the Fiat Barchetta centre console is far more robust the second option is far more adjustable and full filled all my requirements.
Firstly I ditched the base of the universal console and built my own using 40x3mm aluminium which attached to the OE handbrake plate which is totally removable. The base plate is then attached at the rear into the centre tunnel using a single 20g steel cutting screw.
Internally the armrest is reinforced with aluminium and then the whole armrest is bolted to the base plate with 2 bolts into rivnuts that I inserted into the base plate thus removable anytime via the inside of the storage area of the arm rest.
The armrest is wired into the car to provide internal illumination, USB 5v power to front USB’s, future QI Charger power source and ICE USB connection for data & charging.
Grey plug is for future QI Charger power, Black (main input plug) is for Illumination, ICE USB and main power to QI Charger and 12v to 5v power converter.
Illumination is switch on via switch at rear of armrest once opened and dependant on park/main lights active.
Front USB points for charging only no data!
Armrest can be adjusted any position between 2 extremities in the pictures and handbrake is cleared at all times.
Now that interior is back in its perfect!
Driving position whether armrest back or forward is perfect height and great whilst changing gears. Only thing that will make me happier is when restoration of the whole car is completed with new leather interior and armrest covered in leather to match
For this project I had 2 option.
1. The Fiat Barchetta’s centre console
OR
2. Universal fit centre console from a certain website!
The Fiat Barchetta’s storage is lockable, certainly attractive in a convertible and has either a velvet hand brake cover or stainless steel cover. This centre console needs a little modification but ultimately fits.
Option 2 is as follows and is universal in how it fits the vehicle, in our case not X1/9 specific but adaptable never the less.
As mentioned earlier main reason for centre arm rest, as name suggest is for something to rest your arm but I also wanted,
1. USB points
2. Ability to add a future QI Charger as my current IPhone ‘X’ Is not QI Charger compatible but future phone will be.
3. Added storage.
4. Somewhere to store phone away whilst driving (illegal in Australia to touch phone whilst driving)
5. Access to charging for passenger.
6. Totally removable and requiring any modification to originality of the interior of the vehicle thus removable and you’d never known it had been there! (Just so I felt better)
So surprisingly I decided on the second option even though the Fiat Barchetta centre console is far more robust the second option is far more adjustable and full filled all my requirements.
Firstly I ditched the base of the universal console and built my own using 40x3mm aluminium which attached to the OE handbrake plate which is totally removable. The base plate is then attached at the rear into the centre tunnel using a single 20g steel cutting screw.
Internally the armrest is reinforced with aluminium and then the whole armrest is bolted to the base plate with 2 bolts into rivnuts that I inserted into the base plate thus removable anytime via the inside of the storage area of the arm rest.
The armrest is wired into the car to provide internal illumination, USB 5v power to front USB’s, future QI Charger power source and ICE USB connection for data & charging.
Grey plug is for future QI Charger power, Black (main input plug) is for Illumination, ICE USB and main power to QI Charger and 12v to 5v power converter.
Illumination is switch on via switch at rear of armrest once opened and dependant on park/main lights active.
Front USB points for charging only no data!
Armrest can be adjusted any position between 2 extremities in the pictures and handbrake is cleared at all times.
Now that interior is back in its perfect!
Driving position whether armrest back or forward is perfect height and great whilst changing gears. Only thing that will make me happier is when restoration of the whole car is completed with new leather interior and armrest covered in leather to match
Last edited: