[SCG] Photo of similar convertible rear speaker boxes

Mon Jan 20 11:00:19 EST 2014

I reviewed my '66 accessories installation reference manual and RPO U80
(single rear speaker) was definitely available for convertibles that year,
using what appears to be the identical box as the multiplex installation.

--Kent

From: Mark Corbin [mailto:airvair at earthlink.net] 
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 10:58 PM
To: 66vairman at comcast.net; Kent Sullivan
Cc: scg-list at tiger.skiblack.com
Subject: Re: Photo of similar convertible rear speaker boxes

All,

So far what Kent has said is accurate. The rear seat speaker was available
on ALL LM Corvairs. On '66-9 as U80 RPO and as a package with the radio (AM
or AM/FM) as the same RPO. I once had a '69 with the factory rear seat
speaker and defogger.

The multiplex evolved quickly, from a two-speaker (front/rear), three knob
unit in '65 to a full 4-speaker stereo unit in '66. It was available thru
'68 and then changed from a 12 pin radio plug to a 9 pin plug in '69. Hence,
it's only correct for '65-8 and only if you have the correct unit, as each
year was different from the previous year.

-Mark

From: 66vairman at comcast.net 

Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 10:21 PM

To: Kent Sullivan <mailto:kentsu at corvairkid.com>  

Cc: Mark Corbin <mailto:airvair at earthlink.net>  ;
scg-list at tiger.skiblack.com 

Subject: RE: Photo of similar convertible rear speaker boxes

Kent & Others

I thought the multiplex unit did not become available until the 1967 model
year. Mark could probably confirm.  The 1966 RPO U80 single speaker option
was available I thought as a single rear speaker (plus dash speaker) only.
And the speaker box was mounted in the right rear on the backside of the
rear seat.  I did see one in an original 1966 all original cameo beige 140
Corsa at the Sturbridge, Massachusetts show (older gentlemen had the Corsa
for sale) but did not think to document it since only recently did it occur
to me to consider adding this option to my Corsa convertible.  Unsure if
anyone at this convention that may be reading this might know who the
gentlemen was, if the car sold and who the new owner may be for further
documentation of this issue.  Several years ago, David Trull of Stockton, CA
did initiate a "list" of 1966 turbo vert owners in the US.  I have a copy of
the list  and may attempt to contact some of these owners for this further
documentation.  

Tom 

----- Original Message -----
From: Kent Sullivan <kentsu at corvairkid.com>
To: 66vairman at comcast.net
Cc: scg-list at tiger.skiblack.com, 'Mark Corbin' <airvair at earthlink.net>
Sent: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 00:19:16 -0000 (UTC)
Subject: RE: Photo of similar convertible rear speaker boxes

Yes, two. The '65 multiplex was the only year with single rear speaker (and
single dash speaker). '66 and later multiplex used two door speakers plus
two rear speakers. I know that a single rear speaker was offered in '66 for
the non-MP "rear speaker" option (RPO U80), as it was in '65 (and '67). I
don't recall offhand if one could get a single rear speaker (in the box
we're talking about) in a convertible. It was technically possible, of
course; just don't remember if it was offered. If no one has ready access to
the answer, I will dig into my '66 accessory reference installation manual
and see what it says.

--Kent

From: 66vairman at comcast.net [mailto:66vairman at comcast.net] 
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 2:50 PM
To: Kent Sullivan
Cc: scg-list at tiger.skiblack.com; Mark Corbin
Subject: Re: Photo of similar convertible rear speaker boxes

Kent/Mark/Others

You mention boxes, plural.  I assumed the 1966 rear speaker option was only
one mounted to the right rear backside of the rear seat.  Did you add two?
Thanks for the measurement.  The Clark's C10638 I have does measure 4" depth
at the base.  The other one I obtained off ebay (on the right in the photo)
measures 3 1/2" depth at the base.  Does your box(s) look like the one on
the left in my picture?   If so, I will the use the Clark's C10638.  Any
information then about box or grill cover colors?

Tom 

  _____  

From: "Kent Sullivan" <kentsu at corvairkid.com>
To: 66vairman at comcast.net
Cc: "Mark Corbin" <airvair at earthlink.net>, scg-list at tiger.skiblack.com
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 2:55:35 PM
Subject: RE: Photo of similar convertible rear speaker boxes

Tom (and others),

I just measured the repro speaker boxes that I have had in my '66
convertible for many years. The depth at the base is 4". Perhaps that
measurement will help you / Mark @ Clark's to make sure the repro parts have
the correct numbers.

Because it has been so long, I do not believe I have my original notes any
longer telling me what the specific sources were for the research that led
to the flyer that Clark's provides. All I can say is that I was 100% sure of
its correctness at the time of publication and that I believe Mark Corbin
reviewed it. I seem to recall that one or more CORSA members lent me
original speaker boxes for patterns that Clark's then made.

--Kent

From:66vairman at comcast.net [mailto:66vairman at comcast.net] 
Sent: Sunday, January 19, 2014 7:59 AM
To: Kent Sullivan
Cc: Mark Corbin; scg-list at tiger.skiblack.com; Calvin Clark Jr
Subject: Re: Photo of similar convertible rear speaker boxes

Kent:

Wow!  I did not know there was a third style for the 67-9 model years.  I
know the 1967 model year did start with optional two speakers in the rear so
I am unsure if the single rear speaker option was still available starting
in 1967.  Knowing GM to "slim down" between years (seat back of 1966 to 1967
for example), I still cannot believe the 1965 box to be thinner than the
1966 and then go back to the thinner one in 1967.  Common thinking for GM
here would be to have the larger box for 1965, skim down then to the thinner
ones then for 1966 & 1967.  Did your research include photos or original
owner information for these different style/size convertible boxes?  

Tom 

  _____  

From: "Kent Sullivan" <kentsu at corvairkid.com>
To: 66vairman at comcast.net
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2014 11:58:00 PM
Subject: RE: Photo of similar convertible rear speaker boxes

Hi Tom,

Thanks. I found my original document that I sent to Clark's with the
research. That document lists a different part number for the '66 vs. '67-9
convertible speaker box. C10638 is the '66 number while C7295 is the one for
'67-9, with C10082 being the '65 number. This implies to me that there were
three box designs.

--Kent

From:66vairman at comcast.net [mailto:66vairman at comcast.net] 
Sent: Saturday, January 18, 2014 9:08 AM
To: Kent Sullivan
Subject: Photo of similar convertible rear speaker boxes

Kent:

Here is the photo.  On the left is Clark's catalog advertised 1966
convertible rear speaker box (Part#C10638) and on the right is a speaker box
I purchased off ebay which was described as a "late model" Corvair
convertible box.  Cal Clark is now stating that the one on the right (the
slimmer box) looks identical to his catalog advertised 1965 convertible rear
speaker box (Part#C10082).  Again,  Mark Corbin said the one on the right,
the slimmer box, is identical to the one in his 1967 Corvair.  I did not get
any email responses from 1965 or 1966 convertible owners who may have this
original option to clarify the correct box.  Hope you can assist me in this
endeavor.  And, thanks for the update about Steve Goodman. I am looking
forward to his response as well.

Tom 