I found this in the "things you didn't know about your MINI" thread.

The rear parcel shelf is designed to rest right behind the front seats upside down when it is removed from it's normal place.

How exactly? Is there a pic?

 

I don't have a pic, but if you place the rear of the shelf down with the bottom facing towards the front of the car it fits.

The section that normally fits over the rear wiper motor housing fits arount the cup holder.

 

The two bulges that align with the rear headrests allow the shelf to hang on the headrests when the seats are folded. Orient the shelf so that the top side faces frontward.

 

To aid in visualization:




(you can also see my home-made Space Blue with Silver Piping e-brake boot!)

 

Ah! I never understood how that was supposed to work either. I always assumed it was supposed to fit upside down in the cargo area, which even if it did I would have no way of knowing because of the CD changer being in the way. Very cool!!

 

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh......

 

It works well in my car, but would work ever so much better without the $#*& armrest. I don't think I like the armrest, it gets in the way more than it's useful IMHO.

 

Can i have your arm rest then?

 

"Have"? Umm, well, No.

"Purchase"? Maybe. I may like it better once I get my custom Whalen Armrest Latch Kit!
(https://www.northamericanmotoring.co...-closed-2.html)
I'd also need to get the necessary trim piece that covers the bracketry once the armrest is removed on an '06. I'll think about it!