Abstract: An overhead console (2) attaches to the interior roof (4) of a motor vehicle and provides various features including a retractable compartment (18) for sunglasses or the like that with a damper mechanism (118) for protecting the sunglasses (61) when the compartment (18) is opened. Another compartment (22) is used to hold a remote control unit (60) for a garage door opener. The control unit compartment (18) permits the remote unit (60) to be used by pressing a pushbutton (24) on the compartment lid (23) which activates a pushbutton (62) on the unit (60). A reading/map lamp assembly (28) is houseable in the console (2) and includes a plastic bellows (30) for retracting and aiming a lamp head (32) over a 360.degree. range. The lamp beam width is optionally controllable by a secondary bellows (74) mounted on the lamp head (38). A dual-sided access compartment permits the vehicle driver or a passenger to gain access to a common compartment.