Last fall I was working on the door panels. I got all the FRP cut out that I was going to use as the backer board and the bow tie logo that goes under the vinyl, but I was short vinyl for what I needed to finish covering them. I guess my learning curve on the console consumed more than I had anticipated. Oh well, I haven't had a chance to drive into Seattle to get more until last week. So, this week I've been working on them. I got all 3 remaining panels covered and installed. All winter I've been pondering the armrest. For those who have been following I made one last fall back when I finished the first door panel but was not happy with the way it looked, so I looked online and read in the interior forum what other options were out there. It sounded like the aftermarket plastic ones were very susceptible to breaking after about a year. So, I started working on a design I could do out of steel. First, I dug thru my steel supply and found sum 1" X 2" tube steel and some plate stock that would work for what I had sketched out. Then I cut one out and welded it up to see if I liked it. I had to tweak the angle a little, but I liked it. So, I built three more. When I designed them wanted them to be universal so there wasn't a right or left. Next, I covered the tops with 1/2" yoga mat (it works great for padding, and I can get it cheap at Goodwill). Then I grabbed some pattern material (Bud Light box) that I seem to always have some around and made a pattern for the vinyl cover. To fit the angles of the armrest I needed to sew a couple seams in it. Once they were all stitched up it was time to start glueing them up. I need to work on my upholstery work, but they will never break like the plastic ones.
Bill, while I was waiting for the contact cement to dry it gave me time to get the turn signals in the side mirrors. They are all wired up and working. I also got the strapping done for the dual Batteries. There is one on each side behind the swing out steps with an automatic transfer switch. All the hydraulics, sound system and auxiliary lights runs off the second battery. I don't want to be sitting at the track till 3:00 am waiting for AAA.
