On 1/13/2018, Simon Broom in the UK wrote:
"I always wondered why they didn't use the armrest in the MGA to store stuff in. So I thought I'd make one. As you can see, it has enough space to house, keys, a phone, change and maybe a few small spares and a pen etc. It's an inch deep at the shallow end and 2 inches deep at the deep end and still has the external dimensions of the original.

"First, I downloaded the dimensions from the internet, blew them up and made a template and constructed a box and lid from mdf. Then I bought a piano hinge and ball catch online. Finally, I purchased a standard foam filled armrest and, in this case, some black leather (but vinyl will do).

"I cut the sides off the armrest leaving a couple of inches of vinyl around the edge and pulled out the foam rubber. I then took the mdf lid, pulled the armrest top over it and pulled the spare vinyl edges around and under and stapled it all in place. Then I routed a space along one edge of the box and inserted the ball catch so it would be flush with the lid when closed. Next I measured and cut the piano hinge to size and lightly ground the edge so it didn't look cut.

"Then, I had a go at upholstering the box and frankly it didn't look that good and I covered myself in glue, so I marched it all down to a local furniture upholsterer who, for not much money, completed the job. It doesn't make the car go any faster or handle better I admit but I'm looking forward to the convenience and it looks pretty original! Now all I need to do is figure out how to attach it to the new carpet. Probably staples from underneath". -- Simon

Addendum:
On 3/12/2018, Simon Broom wrote:
Remember my "brilliant"� armrest which I converted into a storage device with hinged lid! Well it doesn't work because the space between the two seats is so tight that when you attempt to open it, the damn thing wedges on the hinged side against the passenger seat backrest so you can't get it more than inch or two open. The only way to make it work would be to reduce the width by an inch or so meaning you couldn't use the existing upholstered cover. It could be done but one wonders if its worth it".

It could work if you use an "L" shape piano hinge that puts the hinge point near the top of the cover.