All of the wood in W140-chassis cars is zebrano (or burl, or even rarely birdseye maple) veneer bonded in layers with thin aluminum sheeting. They use some sort of epoxy resin as a binder between the layers.

However, their stuff is a sandwich of multiple wood/metal layers (if I remember correctly).

Regardless, NICE work - coming from one accomplished woodworker to another of obvious talents.

Question - what did you use for the substrate? Plywood, MDF, solid wood, particle board?

Also - what did you use for the finish - it looks wonderfully glossy and free from surface aberrations like orangepeel.

I've always read when veneering, that you're supposed to veneer both sides of a surface - usually the underside is done with a cheaper species of wood. This is supposed to prevent cracking and warping due to uneven moisture transmission. Did you veneer both sides?

However, if you were to use a plywood substrate (specifically a non-voiding product like Baltic Birch or Apple-ply), which is really just a bunch of layers of veneer, I personally think the double-veneer route wouldn't be required.

MDF is a good alternative, because it's dead flat and really heavy, which would be a bonus in stability for the holder. Since you're using cup-type inserts and not trim rings, you wouldn't have to worry too much about subjecting the MDF to moisture in the event of a dribble or small spill. However, a big spill that could come into contact with the MDF if not cleaned up IMMEDIATELY, will cause the MDF to swell permanently and that will destroy the smooth surface you've worked so hard to attain.

Nothing offered here is in the form of criticism - I've just got some questions for projects like this I'm wanting to attempt. I need something just like this for my newly acquired 450SEL 6.9 - but the rest of the wood in the car needs so much work I've got many other projects ahead of that in the queue.

Again - looks first class - fitting of the vehicle in which it is installed...