1969 Delco 8 Track Player & AM Radio Connection

[Mario]

I purchased a used, original Delco 8 track player (RPO U-57) for my 1969 Camaro Indy Pace Car. I was about to install it in my Camaro, but it would not install with my original Delco AM Radio. There is no plug for the wire in the back of the AM radio.

I have a rare 1969 Delco "Radio Service Manual." Research has revealed that 8 track tape players were available with AM radios in all 1969 Camaros. I don't think there is any way to "bypass" the radio while operating just the 8-track player. I have hunted high and low for a plug or jack to connect the radio and 8-track without any luck. Any suggestions?
 
Should the console pad that sits on top of the 8-track player be BLACK (same color as console) or ORANGE (houndstooth Pace car interior color)?

Such Camaro experts such as Bob Harris @Camaro Specialties and Jim Stubbings @Heartbeat City were stumped for answers.

I would really appreciate your assistance! Thank you.

Mario Colitti

[Mark]

There is a power extension wiring harness that provides power to the 8 track.  The 8 track then feeds the power back to the am or am/fm radio.  There is a switch inside the 8 track player that turns it on when you insert an 8 track and that turns the radio off.  Radio comes back and the 8track shuts off on when the 8 track is pulled out.  M&H Wiring has the harness, along with the extension harness for the heat sink, and the connections to the speakers.  The 8 track uses the 4 stereo speakers that were part of the 8 track option, the radio only feeds the dash speaker, and one of the rear speakers with a balancer knob that came with the U80 option, and also came with the 8 track option.