...a BETTER cup holder?
 

I've had this project kicking around for a little bit. But didn't have it to a point where I wanted to share it - until now.

So a little backstory, which probably parallels a lot of what you guys have experienced.

As a general rule, I don't really allow food and drink in the car. No Big Gulps, no fast food... but I do like to have a coffee on early morning drives or water through out the day. However, aside from between my legs or on the passenger seat (or passengers hands) - there really isn't a good cup holder solution. Yeah, I know. There's a replacement "cup holder" for the ashtray. But that's not really a great place since you're constantly elbowing it on shifts - plus there's virtually no depth - so stability is nil. I've seen some other solutions that require drilling holes into trim. Yeah. Not gonna happen.

So here's what I set out to do...

1) Non-Intrusive. I don't want to be banging it while I'm shifting or have it obstruct my line of vision or access to the glove box or anything else.
2) Non-Permanent. I want to be able to remove it if I don't need it (track days, detailing, etc).
3) Functional. I want it to actually hold a bottle of water in a spot where I can access it.
4) Aesthetically Pleasing. I want it to look OEM or at least "pretty good". Pictured is a sandblasted finish - but I'm considering a matte black powder coat.
5) Ambidextrous. This will work for both LHD and RHD cars. Or more specifically, passenger side, driver side or both.

So here's what I came up with:

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...der_01.JPG?240
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...der_02.JPG?240
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...der_03.JPG?240
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...der_04.JPG?244
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...der_05.JPG?244
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...der_06.JPG?244
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...der_07.JPG?244

The development process was pretty straight forward. I 3D scanned the interior in order to get the curvature right. I then used the OEM rails as a mounting point and secured it with a steel thumb knob (easily installed and removed). There were a few rounds of 3D printing and refinement in order to get sizing and placement right. Then I was off to the laser cutter to get some samples made.

A couple notes...

1) I've tested it with the pictured Contigo, a 20oz, a cheap $1 bottle of water, various Starbucks and fast food cups. Almost all work, but there's limits. No Big Gulps.
2) The cup holder limits travel on the seat a tad. You can't move your seat ALL the way up. But I'm 5'10' - sit very close (I don't fully extend my knee on clutch in) and I don't have any issues.
3) The cup holder sits in a nice 'dead spot' for me at least. But if you drive a little more 'bow legged' the passenger side mount might make more sense.
4) Pictured is a sandblasted finish. I'm also considering matter black powder coat for a final product in order to hide it a bit more.


So now the question is - who else wants one?

Group Buy List

1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
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6.
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9.
10.

1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
2. Brody8877 - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
2. Brody8877 - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
3. Molotovman - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.


It looks very cool. Do you have a sample you can post a picture of for the matte black finish? Will it be more or a satin or a flat?

Thank you. I don't have one of THESE powder coated yet - but I think I'll do the same finish as the battery boxes. It turned out super nice and was extremely durable.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...g?v=1566316216
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...g?v=1566316216

1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
2. Brody8877 - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
3. Molotovman - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
4. HyperRex - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.

1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
2. Brody8877 - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
3. Molotovman - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
4. HyperRex - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
5. Raziel - Matte Black - Passenger side (LHD)
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
__________________

Interested but will have to wait on some feedback on people who ordered the driver's side. My passenger side is currently using the SBG Fire Extinguisher bracket.

1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
2. Brody8877 - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
3. Molotovman - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
4. HyperRex - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
5. Raziel - Matte Black - Passenger side (LHD)
6. Mister Destiny - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
7.
8.
9.
10.

#8
Mister Destiny
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1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
2. Brody8877 - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
3. Molotovman - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
4. HyperRex - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
5. Raziel - Matte Black - Passenger side (LHD)
6. Mister Destiny - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
7. estevan62274- Matte Black- passenger side (LHD)
8.
9.
10.

It's really gonna depend on driving position. If you're the type to drive with your knee against the trans tunnel - it might be bothersome. The flip side is - it's easily installed and removed.

As for working with the SBG Fire Extinguisher Mount - this was never on our radar. But I will reach out to Heath and get his input on it. :icon_tup:

1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
2. Brody8877 - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
3. Molotovman - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
4. HyperRex - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
5. Raziel - Matte Black - Passenger side (LHD)
6. Mister Destiny - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
7. estevan62274- Matte Black- passenger side (LHD)
8. Zepticon - Matte Black - Both (depending on price)
9.
10.

1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
2. Brody8877 - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
3. Molotovman - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
4. HyperRex - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
5. Raziel - Matte Black - Passenger side (LHD)
6. Mister Destiny - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
7. estevan62274- Matte Black- passenger side (LHD)
8. Zepticon - Matte Black - Both (depending on price)
9.Rx7zamboni-matte black-both(Lhd)
10.

1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
2. Brody8877 - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
3. Molotovman - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
4. HyperRex - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
5. Raziel - Matte Black - Passenger side (LHD)
6. Mister Destiny - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
7. estevan62274- Matte Black- passenger side (LHD)
8. Zepticon - Matte Black - Both (depending on price)
9.Rx7zamboni-matte black-both(Lhd)
10. rabid_rotary - matte black both (lhd)

1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
2. Brody8877 - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
3. Molotovman - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
4. HyperRex - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
5. Raziel - Matte Black - Passenger side (LHD)
6. Mister Destiny - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
7. estevan62274- Matte Black- passenger side (LHD)
8. Zepticon - Matte Black - Both (depending on price)
9.Rx7zamboni-matte black-both(Lhd)
10. rabid_rotary - matte black both (lhd)
11. SpinningDorito - passenger black

1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
2. Brody8877 - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
3. Molotovman - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
4. HyperRex - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
5. Raziel - Matte Black - Passenger side (LHD)
6. Mister Destiny - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
7. estevan62274- Matte Black- passenger side (LHD)
8. Zepticon - Matte Black - Both (depending on price)
9.Rx7zamboni-matte black-both(Lhd)
10. rabid_rotary - matte black both (lhd)
11. SpinningDorito - passenger black
12. Net Seven - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)

1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
2. Brody8877 - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
3. Molotovman - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
4. HyperRex - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
5. Raziel - Matte Black - Passenger side (LHD)
6. Mister Destiny - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
7. estevan62274- Matte Black- passenger side (LHD)
8. Zepticon - Matte Black - Both (depending on price)
9.Rx7zamboni-matte black-both(Lhd)
10. rabid_rotary - matte black both (lhd)
11. SpinningDorito - passenger black
12. Net Seven - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
13. StaticX27 - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)

1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
2. Brody8877 - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
3. Molotovman - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
4. HyperRex - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
5. Raziel - Matte Black - Passenger side (LHD)
6. Mister Destiny - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
7. estevan62274- Matte Black- passenger side (LHD)
8. Zepticon - Matte Black - Both (depending on price)
9.Rx7zamboni-matte black-both(Lhd)
10. rabid_rotary - matte black both (lhd)
11. SpinningDorito - passenger black
12. Net Seven - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
13. StaticX27 - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
14. David Hayes - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)

I know Zepticon through it out there, do you have a rough idea on what the cost will be?

I am interested in this and I've spent too much time with a drink between my legs. Which is fine in an automatic car, but quite the inconvenience when driving a proper car.

Are we talking $20, $40, $100?

Realistically, we're aiming for the $75 mark - maybe a tad cheaper if we can get some ground swell and do a substantial initial order with the laser cutter.

:icon_tup:

How about a dual cup on the passenger side??

Reading back, I may not have made it clear - there IS a passenger side option as well.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...der_01.JPG?247
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...der_02.JPG?247
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/00...der_03.JPG?247

This is for people that might think the cup holder on the driver side might bother their leg and/or had RHD vehicles and/or want to run duals.

:icon_tup:

But it's not a double cup holder. That's 50% less cup.

OOooh a double just for the passenger side? :facepalm4:

Not sure. We’ll see.

Yes, that’s what i meant. I’m pretty sure most of us would rather have all of our cups on one side, out of our leg area in case of hot spills

But why two? If there's a passenger... aren't their hands free? :p:


What you're looking at is basically the final product. There just really isn't the space (or demand) to do that.

I would love to have you on board. But we're not going back to the drawing board on this one. :beer: