Skip to main content

While most speedster owners complain about having too much free storage space in their cars, I found myself in a totally different situation. Because I like to carry a spare valve cap for one of my tires, I ran out of space.

What to do? Here's an approach that I trialed this morning with decent success that I'll share for comments and criticism. I tried using the mostly empty space inside the doors (the space that spyder owners take for granted).

My car: I've got @Vintage Motorcars Inc leather interior door cards. The cards themselves are made of a nice flexible 1/8" plastic. The leather is glued to the card and then stapled around the edges on the inside.

My approach: First remove the door card and mark a line across the back where the card will bend upwards. Wait, there's something you need to do right now. Go back to the car door and strike it with your palm a few times listening for rattles from the door handle linkage. Apply bits of foam around rattling parts as needed. Ok, back to business.

PXL_20210424_200116337

Figure out how deep you should cut and put a spacer on a dremel cutting wheel that lets you know that you are cutting the correct depth:

PXL_20210424_200643493

Not too deep!PXL_20210424_200830042

Cut across both sides until you reach where the vinyl/leather is folded around. I found it was easier if I cut from the right hand side to the left hand side.

PXL_20210424_201152480

Using a screwdriver lift the edges of the covering away from the card. Remove staples as needed and save them for reinsertion.

PXL_20210424_201306866

Loosen the covering around the side and front of the card directly underneath where you will be extending the cut and keep the blade of the screwdriver beneath the cutting area so you won't accidently cut the covering at the edge.PXL_20210424_201430868PXL_20210424_201514523

Gently flex the card so it folds upward in the middle of the panel. Correct any binding cut areas.

PXL_20210424_201953959

Using rubber cement or upholstery cement, glue the covering back down and restaple it. Pro tip: buy a cheap bag of disposable acid flux brushes to use to apply cement and to do touch up work. Then just throw away the brush.

PXL_20210424_202652262

Find the roll of velcro strips that you bought 40 years ago to make binders to keep your trousers out of the bicycle chain while you riding to work. When you can't find it, go to Lowes and pick up another roll.

PXL_20210424_203147252

Even if the velcro has a sticky side, use rubber cement to attach it around the sides and bottom of the piece that will swing up.

PXL_20210424_203507023

PXL_20210424_204939443

Reattach the door card at the top of the door. Then mark the areas that will need the matching velcro pieces, treat everything with rubber cement and attach. PXL_20210424_211425700

Voilà

Space for that extra tire valve cap, your extra large bottle of ketchup and the big stillson wrench (although not as big as @DannyP's or @Gordon Nichols'

PXL_20210424_213359872

And, it folds back down to be secured with the velcro strips hiding your ketchupy treasures from the casual observers (take that spyder owners).

PXL_20210424_212809562

Ok, I only did one and it took me nearly 2 hours. I'll probably do the passenger door at some point. I'm thinking I'll swap out my rolled up tool bag for the ketchup and stillson freeing more floor space in the frunk. There's probably room for some of my standard spares like belts, cables too.

Alright brain trust, what do you think? Anything that needs to be done better?

Attachments

Images (18)
  • PXL_20210424_200116337
  • PXL_20210424_200643493
  • PXL_20210424_200830042
  • PXL_20210424_201152480
  • PXL_20210424_201306866
  • PXL_20210424_201430868
  • PXL_20210424_201514523
  • PXL_20210424_201933274
  • PXL_20210424_201953959
  • PXL_20210424_202652262
  • PXL_20210424_203147252
  • PXL_20210424_203507023
  • PXL_20210424_203631198
  • PXL_20210424_204939443
  • PXL_20210424_211425700
  • PXL_20210424_212809562
  • PXL_20210424_212835457
  • PXL_20210424_213359872
Last edited by Michael Pickett
Original Post

Replies sorted oldest to newest

.

Michael, you're filling a genuine need here.

Today's modern vehicle is equipped with 12-14 cupholders. But, typically, none of those is suitable for ketchup. The average Amurican is just fed up with having to make do with those clumsy little foil packets from the drive-through window. A proper carrier for ketchup is long overdue.

I like the ergonomics, too. Shift with the right hand, ketchup with the left.

.

Last edited by Sacto Mitch
Post Content
×
×
×
×
Link copied to your clipboard.
×
×