65 radio bezel

[Kevster]

Hi,

I'm in the UK and have just bought a 65 Monza which I am trying to restore.

I wonder if any of you can help identify what is going on with this radio faceplate.
At some time in it's past the radio was changed to a UK model (it has been here since '71), that no longer works, so I was looking to get a replacement stock radio and repair that if needed. The problem is, I seem to have a different bezel to all the others I have seen.

If you look at the photo you will see there are two slots, one for the display, one for the push buttons, all the ones I see have one large hole with the 'slots' as part of the radio case, any ideas? If I buy most the LM radios I see, i don't think it will fit?

Thanks
Kev

[Scott V]

some pics of a stock face plate.

yours has been modified w/some material removed from back knob pocket. maybe get a pic of your dash cut out - where the radio goes - to see if thats been modified too.

-Scott V.

[Kevster]

Thanks For posting the picture Scott,

Here is the hole in the dash, does this look right?

Looks like I will need a new bezel and radio then.

Now I'm curious what is going on, mine is defiantly different to stock but I really don't think it has been modified as there are no 'joins'! Looking at yours I can see there is an additional slot around the knob well, and also the writing appears to be spaced different on the face, is it possible it's from another Chevy of the same year?

Can anyone solve the mystery?

Kev

[azdave]

My best guess is that the radio bezel is from a Corvair that was assembled overseas and therefore probably used an off the shelf radio from that country. A USA radio would probably have been useless for reception. Guessing further a special bezel was supplied for those vehicles.

Did you inport your Corvair from the USA or do you know where it originated?

[Kevster]

Good question!
Yes it started in the US, went to the American embassy in kuala lumpa, Malaysia until 71, then was imported to the UK in 72. The current radio must be a later diy job as it doesn't really fit, neither do the knobs, however it could have had a factory export one with special face at some time in it's travels, I love trying to unravel the cars history like this!

Thanks

[Kevster]

Hi guys,

I thought I might share with you what I finally did with my radio faceplate.

Following another members success with cutting up the front of an am/fm radio, I realised I was in the fortunate position of having most of it done for me already!

I rough time a Retrosound model 2 and a second left hand back knob (the flat one), a little bit of red nylon for the needle, and there you have it!

I'm really pleased with the stock look and modern function and thanks to the forum for the inspiration.
Kev.

[ac1948]

I recently sold a radio and bezel from a 63 I parted out. It also had a two section opening in the bezel. The radio was a Motorola and not Delco. In the top slot the words ALL TRANSISTOR appeared. The buttons and dial in the lower slot. It was determined this was an after market, dealer installed item. You may have had the same. Jerry