1972 350SL - Console repair/replacement

[Graham]

We have a crack in the console of our '72 350SL. I will soon be removing it for repair or replacement. Any tricks to removing the console?

The crack is quite bad. It is in the tray area and was caused a few years ago, by trying to crawl across to open the driver side door when the lock was stuck. Unfortunately, it was very cold and one side of the tray collapsed.

Has anyone had any luck rebuilding the sides of the console tray area? It looks like I would have to remove the foam stiffening, glue a vinyl backing in place, install new foam backing, then build up the exterior with vinyl. Finally
spray entire unit with "tobacco" vinyl spray because it is faded. I have never worked with vinyl so any advice on practicality of this is welcomed.

Second option is to install a used console that I bought on eBay! This unit is a light colour (Palomine?) and is also faded, so needs refinishing. It is from an older SL, so has the carpeted sideboards attached, as does our car. Problem is that the carpets most likely don't match our car. Is it practical to remove the good carpeted sideboards from our console and to re-install them on the replacement unit? They are sort of permanently attached.

Thanks

Graham