AM/FM Radio's and Tape players

[ken2ya]

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]

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.

[lakeholme]

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...

[ken2ya]

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]

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

[BillG]

Ken,  also be aware that the armrest for the tape player only came in white, no matter what color interior the car had.

[SH69Z28]

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.

[Steve Shauger]

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.

[JohnZ]

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

[68L30]

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]

Picture....

[montgomg]

 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]

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.

[tmodel66]

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

[montgomg]

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!