Author Topic: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players  (Read 33776 times)

ken2ya

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AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« on: May 05, 2007, 11:42:38 AM »
I'm interested to know what types and if possible makes and model numbers of Radio's and 8 track tape players that were offered as options by the factory or dealers in 1969.  I'm interested in purchasing a AM/FM 8 track unit for my car but wanted to make sure it is correct for 1969.
I'm a new member (first time in the Forum).  I've been reading the discussions for a couple of months and I am very impressed with the information I've learned provided by you guys......I'm sure someone out there has all the information I'm looking for.

Thank you in advace.....
Ken 

Mark

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #1 on: May 06, 2007, 02:21:06 PM »
For 69 there was 3 AM/FM models, 2 underdash 8 track players, and 1 console mounted 8 track player.  Theres an AM/FM mono radio, an AM/FM multiplex radio with an external multiplex unit (the bluelight stereo), and then theres a late model year AM/FM multiplex with an internal multiplex component (the Yellow light stereo).  There is one version of 8 track players are for use with the AM and AM/FM mono radios, and one used with the multiplex radios.  The mounting differences are determined by if the car had a console or not.

The AM/FM mono is model number 91BFP1
The blue light stereo is 91BFM1
The yellow light stereo is 91BFM2
The underdash 8 track player is 91BT411
The underdash multiplex 8 track player is 91BT421
The console mount 8 track player is 91FT211

In 69 there is only one version of the 8 track player that mounted on the console, and it was used with the mono radio setups, or if no radio was ordered.  In 68 there was 2 different versions, one for the mono radios and one for the multiplex radio. If you ordered a muliplex radio, you got the two knob 91BT421 under dash mounted 8 track player  wheather you had a console, or not.

If your going to buy a console mounted 8 track, make sure it has the arm rest cover pad included with it.  They are not reproduced and are extremely hard to find.  You can find moslty everything else on Ebay but don't be shocked by the prices.  A console mounted 8 track player is going to run you between 500 and 750 for the player alone, a mono AM/FM is probably in the 400 to 500 range, and a multiplex setup is going to be over 1000 bucks complete. make sure you get the multiplex mounting bracket if your going that route as well since they are unique to the Camaro and  are not reproduced either.
« Last Edit: May 06, 2007, 02:28:39 PM by Mark »
Mark C.
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11

lakeholme

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #2 on: May 07, 2007, 04:46:28 PM »
Ken,
Just in case you missed it in reading through the threads, here's a web site for radios, etc.
http://www.originalcarradios.com/
I've been watching them for a radio for some time.  If nothing else, it can give you a cost frame of reference.  (Never seen an 8-track.  But you could email them and ask them.)  I've still got a box full of 8-track tapes from the late 60s and early 70s.  Wish I had the player and car...
Several foks have mentioned JVRestorations on Ebay.  Here's one of his last sales
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1967-67-1968-68-Camaro-Firebird-AM-Delco-Radio-NICE_W0QQitemZ220100807011QQihZ012QQcategoryZ80741QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Of course, you have to bid to buy with him.  He also has a lot of helpful information in his sale info.

Mark,
It would be great if you would put together a CRG report on radios!  I'd like to see it...
Phillip, HNR & NCR-AACA, Senior Master, Team Captain, Admin.,
Spring Southeastern Nationals chair, AACA National Director

ken2ya

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #3 on: May 08, 2007, 01:28:11 AM »
Mark, Phillip,
I want to thank you guys for taking the time to go into the details like you have, much appreciated.  I'll keep my eyes open for these model numbers and the other information on e-bay.
Thanks,
Ken

Mark

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #4 on: May 08, 2007, 10:45:15 AM »
Well what do you know.  The Parts Place is now reproducing the 8 track cover pad.  Not cheap by any means though at $129 for a hunk of foam and a sheet of vinyl.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1968-69-CAMARO-FIREBIRD-CONSOLE-8-TRACK-ARM-REST-PAD_W0QQitemZ230125354780QQihZ013QQcategoryZ10076QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Mark C.
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11

BillG

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #5 on: May 12, 2007, 07:13:20 PM »
Ken,  also be aware that the armrest for the tape player only came in white, no matter what color interior the car had.
Bill Garrett

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #6 on: May 14, 2007, 07:10:00 PM »
Hi all, I'm looking for a 1969 AM radio. The replies from Mark and others are very informative. Unless I'm missing something, they don't seem to cover my car, a '69Z with very few options. What radio model number should I be searching for and are there date codes on the label? Thanks.
69 Z/28 Fathom Green, mostly correct with chassis broadcast sheet
69 Z/28 Dusk Blue, incorrect drive train, my driver

Steve Shauger

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #7 on: May 14, 2007, 10:57:17 PM »
Ken,  also be aware that the armrest for the tape player only came in white, no matter what color interior the car had.

They were painted based on your interior color and matched the console color. I have never seen an original arm pad unpainted.
Steve Shauger
Vintage Certification™ Program, Providing Recognition And Status To Unrestored Vehicles.  The Supercar Registry-www.yenko.net-

JohnZ

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #8 on: May 15, 2007, 04:02:01 PM »
Hi all, I'm looking for a 1969 AM radio. The replies from Mark and others are very informative. Unless I'm missing something, they don't seem to cover my car, a '69Z with very few options. What radio model number should I be searching for and are there date codes on the label? Thanks.

My original 02D '69 Z/28 has the AM radio, and the label on it is as follows:

Model #91APB1
S/N 11PBZ-9084
Product #7307311
'69 Z/28
Fathom Green
CRG

68L30

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #9 on: May 20, 2007, 01:03:21 AM »
Ken,  also be aware that the armrest for the tape player only came in white, no matter what color interior the car had.

They were painted based on your interior color and matched the console color. I have never seen an original arm pad unpainted.

Correct on the painted pads.I have had half a dozen of these in the past and have found all to be painted/dyed to match the console/interior color....Most of the time the arm rest pad is missing and you can see a painted outline around where the pad was....The were all moulded in white.......dyed later. Mine is Ivy gold.....

Steve     

68L30

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #10 on: May 20, 2007, 01:07:25 AM »
Picture....

montgomg

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #11 on: December 31, 2009, 07:50:12 PM »
 I have a late 69 Z28 and the original AM/FM radio has long ago been replaced with a Kenwood. I would like to replace
the Kenwood with an original radio since the car is mostly original.
 From my reading I should be looking for a yellow light radio 91BFM2? My car is an 09E (1969) build.
 Is a yellow light radio from a 70 Impala correct? Are these the so called slant back radios? Thanks.

william

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #12 on: December 31, 2009, 08:33:10 PM »
The "blue light" and "yellow light" am/fms were stereo. Very few [1%] '69s were built a stereo. The monaural unit is more common [3.4%].

If your car has front kick panel and 2 rear speakers then it was built with a stereo. From about June or July '69 the yellow light with integral multiplex was used. The same speakers were used with the tape player, which could not be ordered with a stereo radio.

If it does not have the speakers but has a capacitor in the power line to the heater blower motor it had a monaural am/fm. A '69 A or B body used the same unit. '70-up units look the same but have a different plug.

If the car does not have the speakers or the capacitor it probably had an AM.
Learning more and more about less and less...

tmodel66

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #13 on: December 31, 2009, 08:57:24 PM »
My car has the one speaker in the rear. I was told this is RPO U 80. Front speaker only in dash. No speakers in kick panels. Which radio would I need?
Thanks  for any help
Daniel  
'69 SS 350/4 speed  Fathom Green--POP

montgomg

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #14 on: January 01, 2010, 02:01:03 AM »
Thanks, I will need to check  the car over some more.
I have the original order sheet and the  car was ordered with an AM/FM radio and the cost was $133.80. No mention of stereo. It does have two rear speakers (along with the kick panel speaker) but the rear speakers (two) are Pioneers.
I assumed the radio was stereo on the FM side and mono on the AM side.
Need to see if original wires to the two rear speakers or if wires were added. The additional cost for the radio seems like a lot for that time period!

Mark

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #15 on: January 01, 2010, 04:23:20 AM »
My car has the one speaker in the rear. I was told this is RPO U 80. Front speaker only in dash. No speakers in kick panels. Which radio would I need?
Thanks  for any help

Either a mono Am radio, or a mono AM/FM radio.  If your antenna mast is original, if its one peice then it was an AM/FM originally, if its a 3 peice sectional mast then it was an AM originally.  Rear antenna means AM radio originally.
Mark C.
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11

tmodel66

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #16 on: January 01, 2010, 09:21:13 PM »
Thanks alot Mark.   It is original solid mast front fender mount.  So I need to hunt me an AM/FM mono. Could you give me a little information as to what numbers to look for? What I can use to ID the right one.
Daniel  
'69 SS 350/4 speed  Fathom Green--POP

Mark

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #17 on: January 02, 2010, 04:04:14 AM »
The AM/FM mono is model number 91BFP1.  It has the angled finned heat exchanger on the back of it.


Theres at least one on Ebay now, its already at 200 bucks with 8 days to go:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/69-Chevy-AM-FM-Radio-Camaro-Chevelle-Nova-Impala-91BFP1_W0QQitemZ250556096982QQcmdZViewItemQQptZMotors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories?hash=item3a564ea1d6

Mark C.
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11

tmodel66

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #18 on: January 02, 2010, 01:15:28 PM »
Thanks for  the information.  I appreciate all the help.


    Daniel
Daniel  
'69 SS 350/4 speed  Fathom Green--POP

william

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #19 on: January 02, 2010, 03:06:58 PM »
I assumed the radio was stereo on the FM side and mono on the AM side.

One of the differences between the blue & yellow light units was in fact where "Stereo" appears. On the blue light it is molded into the lens. On the yellow it is printed only on the FM band.
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montgomg

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #20 on: January 09, 2010, 07:49:38 PM »
In looking at the radio for sale on ebay, the 91BFP1, I think that radio would be correct for a full size GM car , such as an Impala, in 1969.
The web site www.wonderbarman.com breaks down the meaning of the alphanumeric code. It appears that the 91BFP1 would be out of a full size car and the Camaro would be a 91FFP1. The first F is for pony car such as Camaro and Firebird.
Any thoughts ? Am I mistaken on this?

montgomg

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #21 on: January 09, 2010, 07:53:11 PM »
Partially wrong was I on my previous post. The code for a Camaro (third digit) is A. Therefore the correct radio number for the AM/FM mono for 69 is 91AFP1.

Mark

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #22 on: January 09, 2010, 09:32:24 PM »
The was no 91AFP1, or FFP radios in 69, there was a 91APB1 which was an AM pushbutton radio used in Chevelles, Camaros, Chevy IIs (Novas) and Acadians (Canadian Chevelles).  The 91BFP1 is correct for a 69 Camaro, and it was also used in Chevrolets, Chevelles, Chevy IIs, and Acadians.
Mark C.
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350/300HP RPO Z11

runuts

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #23 on: January 10, 2010, 09:52:07 PM »
I finally was able to figure out how to post a picture. Here is a picture of a console pad with the 8 track metal cover attached. You can see the white under the red dye. Does anyone know if these can be redyed? Were the consoles all black and then sprayed the interior color? My interior is black and my console lid, 8 track and pad were long gone when I bought the car. I recently learned what the hole on the inside of my console was for, 8 track wires, and figured out why I had 5 speaks, 8 track with AM radio. When I pulled the console I found the cut 8 track ground wire still attached to the bolt and the original cut rear speaker wires hanging in the trunk. The original speaker kick panels are still in place but no speakers. I have alot more detailed pictures but I have to figure out how to link them through Photobucket.

montgomg

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #24 on: January 11, 2010, 03:06:46 AM »
 I noticed there are two radios on Craigs List which appear to be the 91BFP1. Both are in the Raleigh, North Carolina area.
 Just Google 1969 Camaro AM/FM radio.

Rich69s

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #25 on: March 30, 2014, 02:53:52 AM »

The "blue light" and "yellow light" am/fms were stereo. Very few [1%] '69s were built a stereo. The monaural unit is more common [3.4%].

If your car has front kick panel and 2 rear speakers then it was built with a stereo. From about June or July '69 the yellow light with integral multiplex was used. The same speakers were used with the tape player, which could not be ordered with a stereo radio.

If it does not have the speakers but has a capacitor in the power line to the heater blower motor it had a monaural am/fm. A '69 A or B body used the same unit. '70-up units look the same but have a different plug.

If the car does not have the speakers or the capacitor it probably had an AM.


 Hello all, old post same topic.

 I am restoring  a 69 SS with a build date of 11 D of 68  . I am the third owner since it was taken apart in 1979 . It came to me with  2 rear speakers , 2 kick panel speakers and a dash speaker.

1  Would the correct radio be an  AM / FM blue light stereo ?

2  Can any one recommend  a speaker restoration company ?

 Thanks in advance for any confirmation or recommendations. , Rich
1969 L 48 SS Frost Green taken apart in 1979 resurrection forthcoming
1969  Yenko  Purchased 1981 with my student loan check

Mark

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #26 on: March 30, 2014, 11:45:02 AM »
Since your car had a dash speaker it would have originally had a Mono AM or AM/FM radio.  If the other four speakers are original they would have been connected to an 8 track unit.  If you had a blue light AM/FM you wouldn't have the dash speaker, there would just have been a black piece of cardboard taped to the bottom of the dash panel.
Mark C.
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11

Rich69s

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #27 on: March 31, 2014, 02:38:46 AM »
Thank you, I can start my search. Any build dates on radios or tape decks ?
1969 L 48 SS Frost Green taken apart in 1979 resurrection forthcoming
1969  Yenko  Purchased 1981 with my student loan check

Mark

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #28 on: March 31, 2014, 10:48:08 AM »
Does it have a console?  If so there should be a big hole in the console door, and inside the storage compartment where the wires to the 8 track came thru.  If not there should be some holes in the bottom of the passenger side dash where the T-400 model 8 track mounted.  Does the car have a 3 piece sectional AM only antenna mast or a solid one piece AM/FM mast?

There were only about 6000 8 tracks installed in 69 Camaros, chances of finding one at all is pretty slim (for the console mounted ones), chances of finding a dated one will be all but impossible. 
Mark C.
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11

Rich69s

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #29 on: March 31, 2014, 01:24:50 PM »
https://mail.google.com/mail/u/1/?ui=2&ik=b481d632c0&view=fimg&th=14518442929032b2&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=1464096616178778112-local0&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ-o5OshqXusKAB9K8qQzJd1Lsl4vz4QbevyXI5467c7TuwUrN2cPLGuqMLge4Q_poNaG5tuCzPGM8idR4xsNVmfwuybiDRWe9myEz4FR8FTo42lE9zcpL5Mvqw&ats=1396271613331&rm=14518442929032b2&zw&sz=w437-h401

 Hopefully I attached a pic of the speakers that I took out of the shell
The car dose have a center consul with a front antenna but the mast did not come with it, short cable . There are some additional wires in the council that I didn't understand. I will have to look closer at them when I get home.
  Thanks for all your help :)
1969 L 48 SS Frost Green taken apart in 1979 resurrection forthcoming
1969  Yenko  Purchased 1981 with my student loan check

Mark

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #30 on: March 31, 2014, 05:44:09 PM »
Need a password and login to get to those pictures.

Look up under the dash just to the drivers side of the radio, see if there is a finned heat sink mounted to the dash support bar, that's the console mounted 8 tracks ampliphier heat sink.  Theres a bunch of wires associated with a console mounted 8 track, probably at least 10 individual conductors.
Mark C.
1969 Indy Pace Car
350/300HP RPO Z11

VINCE Z28

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Re: AM/FM Radio's and Tape players
« Reply #31 on: March 31, 2014, 07:20:08 PM »
Here are two 91APB1 AM radio's, one from my 69 Camaro.
" He who knows naught, knows not that he knows naught"  It's not you...  It's just the way my brain is wired.

 

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