garage alpha

iTrader: (7)

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:









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 **** (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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Brody8877

iTrader: (10)

1. garage alpha - Matte Black - Diver and Passenger Side (LHD)
2. Brody8877 - Matte Black - Driver and Passenger side (LHD)
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Molotovman

iTrader: (49)

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)
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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?

garage alpha

iTrader: (7)

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.

HyperRex

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.

Raziel

iTrader: (1)

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.
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__________________

Billy7

iTrader: (7)

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.

Mister Destiny

iTrader: (1)

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.

estevan62274

iTrader: (32)

#8
Mister Destiny
Keep it Easy

iTrader: (1)


Join Date: Oct 2006
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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.

garage alpha

iTrader: (7)

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.

Zepticon

iTrader: (1)

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.

RX7Zamboni

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

iTrader: (2)

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)

SpinningDorito

iTrader: (2)

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

Net Seven

iTrader: (5)

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)

StaticX27

iTrader: (2)

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)

David Hayes

iTrader: (6)

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)

bake3310

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?

garage alpha

iTrader: (7)

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.

RX7Fighter

iTrader: (29)

How about a dual cup on the passenger side??

garage alpha

iTrader: (7)

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





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.

SpinningDorito

iTrader: (2)

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

garage alpha

iTrader: (7)

OOooh a double just for the passenger side?

Not sure. We’ll see.

RX7Fighter

iTrader: (29)

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

garage alpha

iTrader: (7)

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


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.