• Welcome to the Contour Enthusiasts Group, the best resource for the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique.

    You can register to join the community.

Pre-98 console = drool

teamSVTour said:
Hey Tony, did you clear over the MNB? I painted my A-pillar gauge pod MNB and it just didn't have any sheen to it whatsoever. I cleared it and I feel it matches perfect now.

Also what did you use to attach the Redline boots? Did you just use some sort of epoxy to glue the tabs on the boot to the tabs on the console?

Also I don't know why everyone complains about the cup holder. I have the single one and it works fine for me. :shrug:
Click to expand...

Since I had less than half a can of Ford paint for the entire console, I used a can of PPG for 2 coats on the console first. PPG is just a slightly lighter shade of MNB, so those were my base coats. Then I went over the whole console with the Ford MNB until there was nothing left. Perfect match in the end. No clear coat either.

The shift boot I attached with tiny screws in place of the original staples. The same thing for the e-brake boot to mount on the frame, then the frame was glued onto the console with epoxy.

The cupholder I have is the updated Pre-98 version. It's a single large holder. It works awesome for big cups but small cups and cans WILL spill during a turn. I don't really care too much because the car won't be a daily driver pretty soon. My 00 SVT will be the DD with a 98-00 console.
 
my98SVTturbo said:
I think i might pick one of the pre-98 consoles next time im at the junk yard n paint it later. the 98+ ones look so outta place n weird n the cupholders are USELESS. Nice cougar shift knob! ill be picking one of those up in the next week or so. Where did you get the chrome rings around the gauge cluster?????? i was searching for that the other day and couldnt find it.
Click to expand...

Make sure you don't forget any parts. The important one being the HVAC trim. Everyone forgets it. They are not the same!

Search eBay UK for the Mondeo chrome rings. Not the easiest to install on Contour, but if done right, they look awesome.
 
todras said:
I'm guessing that's what you used the last of the MNB paint you had. Damn I want to do that. Just need paint.
Click to expand...

If I were you, I would just use some PPG Alchemy paint. Perfect match, just slightly lighter shade.

FYI, the rear ashtray is painted with PPG only. I forgot it inside the house while everything else got painted and when I realized it, the Ford paint was all gone. Bet ya can't tell the difference unless you get really close.
 
BTW, thanks everyone for the comments. I spent A LOT of time on this console. Between finding all the needed parts at the junkyard, finding the paint, taking apart every piece of the console for paint, installing all the new leather, it's been a big project.

I just noticed how dark these pictures are. :mad: I'll try to get some brighter ones tomorrow.
 
Last edited:
the pre 98 console was the first mod I did to my car, I got all the parts from the local u wrench it for 12 bucks, I never did find a tan leather armrest though
 
I got one last week and put it in my Mysti. They are so much better than the newer ones. Also I have that cupholder too. I hate the lil cheap ones where they always broke.:nonono:
P.S. I dont know why people say you need the old style bezel. I tried to put the old one on and it just hung on there. Theres no clips on the bottom. So my wood trim got to stay.
 
cnewton44 said:
P.S. I dont know why people say you need the old style bezel. I tried to put the old one on and it just hung on there. Theres no clips on the bottom. So my wood trim got to stay.
Click to expand...

If your wood trim bezel is still being used, then there is no way the console is lining up right. The Pre-98 HVAC bezel has a piece below it used for mounting the console up against the dash.

EDIT: Wait, what year is your Mystique? That has A LOT to do with it.
 
CSVT1214 said:
...what year is your Mystique? That has A LOT to do with it...
Click to expand...
Its a 2000. Like I said I put it all in there,and the bezel clipped in on top but the bottom was just swinging. So I put the wood trim one back in and everything was fine. It doesnt quite line up perfectly but its still pretty good.
 
cnewton44 said:
Its a 2000. Like I said I put it all in there,and the bezel clipped in on top but the bottom was just swinging. So I put the wood trim one back in and everything was fine. It doesnt quite line up perfectly but its still pretty good.
Click to expand...

The bottom was swinging because you are missing the middle piece between the bezel and the console. :nonono:

There is a reason why everyone says you NEED a Pre-98 bezel.
 
Last edited:
yes it has been noted that the post98 radio/hvac bezel wraps under the dash and creates the tray that the radio sits on. The pre98 has a tray that is seperate from the radio/hvac bezel. both the bezel and the center console attach to this tray ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top