1966 Ford Mustang GT National Parts Depot Console Kit

With the door open, the spring bends like this to keep the door in place. When closing, the spring "helps" the door slide back into the closed position.

Now that the tricky part is done, the rest of the console can be assembled quickly. Start by laying the center trim plate in place.

Flip the console over and secure the center trim plate with the supplied Tinnerman's nuts, which cut their own threads into the virgin studs. Be careful-you don't want to break off the studs. There's also a single screw for the top of the plate inside the glovebox opening. Don't tighten until the console is assembled and you've had a chance to make adjustments.

Lay the wiring to the rear console light in place and secure with five brackets and screws. The trio of separate male plugs go to the rear of the console.

Slide the rear console courtesy light into place and secure with two screws. The three wires connect to the previously installed console wiring harness.

Pop the ash tray into place at the rear of the console.

Install the shift plate section of the center trim plate and secure loosely with screws at the glovebox door lip. When installing the console in the car, it will be easier to slide over the floor shifter with this section removed. Two shift plates are offered-one for automatics and another with a single large opening for manual transmission Mustangs.

This is the only piece missing from NPD's all-new reproduction of the '65-'66 console. It retains the glovebox light bulb and also serves as the switch; when the glovebox door is open, it contacts the front part of this metal retainer to ground the bulb. Mustangs Etc. supplied this original retainer, which NPD is using as a sample to create a new reproduction. A plastic end plate closes off the front of the glovebox.

Here's our assembled console, all made from reproduction parts, including improved die-cast trim panels.

We're installing the console as part of a complete restoration, so it's easy to slip it into place without the seats. A bracket supplied with the kit secures the front of the console on non-A/C cars.

Reinstall the shifter plate section of the center trim. A new shift plate for the automatic shifter comes with the automatic version of the NPD console.

For cars that have previously had a console, use a sharp-point awl or an ice pick to locate the console screw holes in the floor tunnel. If a console is being added to a car for the first time, you will need to locate and drill the screw holes.