Unique Radio/Stereo Combination for 69’ Camaro

[william]

Thats nonsense. I have seen several Z/28s with console mount tape players. Back in the day I scrapped a non-A/C L65 4-speed with one. Took hours to get the unit, wiring, speakers removed intact.

Check out the w/s for one of the Z/28s in Jerrys '69 book.

[abiddle]

Sounds like AM radio with 8 track player, which would have been mounted on the console. This is the same setup I have. Here is a wiring diagram which may answer your questions.
Andy

Console-mounted 8-track players and multiplex stereo players in 1968 and 1969 Camaros were for cars with RPO C60 factory air conditioning systems (Four Seasons) because the AC duct work under the dash on the passenger side obstructed mounting either the 8-track player or multiplex there.

To rephrase slightly for clarification. U57 Console mounted 8 track tape players were used with console cars, regardless of AC. From the sales album for U57 in the revision guide, "Includes 4 speakers. Console required when air conditioning is ordered." So if you order C60 and U57, you also had to order D55 console.

And an interesting side note. In the original section of the sales manual, "Includes 4 speakers. Not available when electric clock is ordered. Console is required when air conditioning is ordered." I don't know how U35 Electric Clock would affect a tape player. But I guess that may be why they removed that in the revision.

[CamaroJeff]

What is the sales album you are referring to?

[KurtS]

I don't know how U35 Electric Clock would affect a tape player. But I guess that may be why they removed that in the revision.

That may have been an incorrect holdover from 68 when you could the clock floor mounted on the tunnel.

[Dave69x33]

Interesting topic I would like to revisit.

My '69 Z28 (Norwood built in May 1969) has the AM/FM U79 stereo with (4) speakers, two in the kick panels and two in the rear package tray.  The center front dash speaker location is empty (no speaker).  I assume it was left open that way with the U79 radio system.  You can see down thru the dash thru the speaker slits in the dash which is not ideal and I can hear engine and transmission gear noise. Not a big deal as I rarely list to the radio, but I assume that is the way a U79 optioned '69 Camaro came from the factory with an open front center speaker opening in the dash?

[Petes L48]

I would imagine the dash speaker cutout would be treated as if no radio was ordered.  See William's post on this older thread.   I believe a piece of cardboard with black finish was taped beneath the speaker hole.  My 2 cents.

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=17936.msg162735#msg162735

and another discussion about cardboard covering a blank dash speaker hole:

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=1638.msg10083#msg10083

[Dave69x33]

Interesting!  Guess I need to contort my body back under the dash again to try and tape a black cardboard block off to the center dash spear opening...lol!

That may require a couple beers before that task or some Ibuprofen afterwards! 

[Petes L48]

Invite the kids or grandkids over, and bet them a dollar or two that they can't tape that cardboard in place, LOL.

[Dave69x33]

Petes L48,

Great idea...but I do want it taped to the underside of the dash and not on top...lol!

BTW...I ordered the die cut cardboard from Heartbeat City Camaro (HBC), item #AUD-1318 along with the special 2.0-inch x 180-ft masking tape, item #ELC-1264.   HBC states there card board speaker cover is die cut from an original piece. 

The tape is a lot more than what is needed but its also used on various other applications.  Once I see the tape is might be the same or very similar to the cloth masking used to:
- seal off the rear shock holes into the trunk and rear subframe bushing holes into the interior from water during the body build and leak testing
- common to what was used on the cowl induction seal seam for ZL2 hood applications, along the outside of the seal
- seal off the lower set of holes on the trunk lid for the "Camaro by Chevrolet" emblem under the rear spoiler if the D80 option was included, and they drilled a second set of holes for the emblem above the spoiler.

I am due to receive it tomorrow (6/24/2025). I will take pics of the board and tape and show how I accessed the underside of the dash.  My thought at this point is to remove the glove box and possibly the ash tray assembly from the dash to gain access and reach the bottom side of the dash.

I'll keep you posted!

[Dave69x33]

I found a picture in of the front speaker card board cover in John Hooper's book, The 1969 Camaro Reference Book, on page 328.  Here is a pic of that original card board piece.

The tape is in a different area than what is shown in the factory assembly manual, Section B2, page 1, but this could be common based on how the folks applied the cover, and/or figured out a quicker and easier way to install it.

[Danzo]

Dave, more info in this thread.
Doc

http://www.camaros.org/forum/index.php?topic=2509.msg16098#msg16098