<VV> EM 8 Track Possibilities

[airvair]

Corrections to Seth's comments. The 8-track tape player did indeed come
out in '67, but you could have it either dealer OR factory installed. My
buddy and I have come across three (one of each body style, BTW) over
the years, that were factory systems. Duely noted on the body tag codes.

It could be ordered or installed on ANY Corvair, with or without a
radio. And it only tied into the radio IF you also had the multiplex,
which was always dealer installed. Both used the same 4-speaker stereo
system.  Otherwise, all radios were mono, with or without the tape
player. If you had the whole setup, there was an "a/b" switch that was
also added, as the stereo speaker system AND power feed were switched
between the radio/multiplex and the tape player.

It was dropped from the Corvair option list after two years. The
multiplex option for the Corvair was also dropped at the same time,
because GM changed ALL multiplex units and ALL radios in '69 (except the
Corvair radio) from a 12-pin to a 9-pin connector.

-Mark

Sethracer at aol.com wrote:
> 
> 
> In a message dated 8/15/2006 7:11:42 AM Pacific Daylight Time,
> bowtieguy at cox.net writes:
> 
> I  purchased an 8 track player with the Chevrolet bow tie on it. From my
> scanning  of books etc., it appears that this one belongs in a console. It has an
> fm  converter inserts into the 8 as well as a cassette insert.
> 
> What did  the EM 8 tracks look like? Were they installed in EM's and if so
> how? I assume  right below the radio.
> 
> Bob  Vukas
> bowtieguy at cox.net
> 
> 8-tracks were never offered in early model Corvairs. The first 8-track was
> offered in the 1967 Corvair, I believe, as a dealer installed option.  It  was
> an ungainly assembly of parts, but it added Stereo FM as  well.  Starting with
> a regular AM-FM radio, the 8-track set-up had a  separate second amplifier
> with two harnesse, one plugged into the radio, the  other into the 8-track deck,
> which mounted underneath the center of the dash. It  also had the output
> wires to the four speakers. Two in the front doors and two  in the package shelf.
> The door speaker placement was the same as the AM-FM  stereo option. (Ugly
> holes) - The AM-FM Stereos are seen regularly at Corsa  Concours events. Since
> they were dealer installed, they can be added to any car,  part of the "anything
> I can add on" principle!
> 
> Until GM/Chevy started enforcing the Bow-tie trademark, about 10 years ago,
> Companies routinely put Bowties and even "Chevrolet" on aftermarket
> equipment. You can still do that, of cpourse, as long as you write a hefty check
> up-front to GM for the licensing fee. - Seth Emerson
>