T-Type Arm Rest | MG TD TF 1500

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MG TD TF 1500 - T-Type Arm Rest

There was a request in this month's club magazine for information on TD-specifically arm rests.
I've responded with an article that with any luck will be published in the coming months but it occurs to me that perhaps members of our forum may like the information also, so here's the article.

Having just completed the final trimming of my car I was left with some fabric and plywood and thought it would be a great idea to use it up in the form of an arm rest.
I searched online and found some pictures of original and reproduction examples and set-to making a side template for my car.
I'm 6ft 2in and it was important to make sure the arm rest was at the correct height for my elbow, the height for me was nine inches at the front and 7.5 inches at the back, the arm rest actually runs downhill towards the seat back although it isn't obvious.
The other important factor to consider was how high the handbrake came up, there was no point in having a hole in the front which didn't allow full travel.
The final measurement to consider was the gap between the seats, as the arm rest is only a push fit it had to sit reasonably tightly between the seat bases, my measurement was five inches.
When I was happy with the side template I transferred it to quarter inch ply. The front panel was trial fitted over the hand brake to check for full movement.
The four pieces were then glued together with pieces of angled wood for reinforcement in the corners, however a bigger piece was fitted at the top front to allow for a nice curve to be shaped in.
I used a piece of one inch foam on the top for elbow cushioning.
Now to the part that I could only take pictures of. My clever wife spent a happy couple of hours (!) making up the covering, I helped my stapling when instructed and making a brew!
She ran a short length of piping along the front above the handbrake to give it a nice edge, I won't pretend it was easy, luckily for me she's quite adept on the sewing machine, eventually she was happy and said she won't be making another any time soon ... no dear, whatever you say.
I found one picture online which continued the seat flute design on the top of the arm rest, mine is smooth.
The whole thing cost nothing but time and scraps. I think the finished item looks rather smart but what's it like in practice?
It was still a lovely afternoon so a trip to the Moors was in order to 'test it out.'
I hadn't foreseen how much it helps when getting in, I tend to put my elbow on it as a means of lowering myself in a controlled way and the opposite applies when getting out, it gives something to push on with my left hand to help the boost of standing.
When I'm driving my elbow sits nicely in the middle with my hand draped over the wheel ... very comfortable.
My wife has found it a bonus because it stops her sliding so much as we go around corners ... 'it's a sports car dear, you're suppose to drive fast.'

Arm rest before covering.