I have a '67 coupe that came with a factory radio, but the previous owner made a failed attempt to put an aftermarket CD player in its place. This of course required him to butcher the sheet metal in the original radio location to accomodate the new radio. I'm not all about originality and its not a numbers car so this wasn't a major issue when I purchased it. The problem I have is that the radio looks like $#!+ because as you know, new radios don't fit the contours of the dash so the cage is visible. Since his modification creates an issue with simply putting a factory replacement unit in, what are my options? I've thought about replacing the center dash panel with a radio delete one, but I think it will cheapin the look of the deluxe interior. Does anyone make a replacement panel that accomodate the newer CD players? Suggestions?

The best thing to do is neatly cut out the radio opening with a plasma cutter. Purchase a piece of scrap sheetmetal and duplicate what you cut out of your dash on the new piece of sheetmetal. Now you will have a perfect patch. Make a template of the radio that you plan to install. Cut it with a plasma cutter, prime with weld through primer and butt weld in place. Tack the piece of metal going from one side to another. If possible, use an air hose to cool down your tack welds to ensure that you do not warp the metal. Connect the dots also going from one side to another and cool frequently. Grind your weld smooth and your dash will be as good as new. If you purchase a Radio from Custom Autosound, the kit also includes a template and finishing plate similar to the one that originally came with your car. I did this for a friend who had a hacked up dash. It is time consuming, but the only way to repair it the right way. Hope this helps.

Get plenty of welding cloth to lay about the interior to prevent burn marks. Also, disconnect the battery cables to save car electronics/electrics.

The opening isn't really an issue. It only becomes an issue if I want to put a factory replacement back in because it won't accomodate a knob style radio anymore. From what I'm reading, are you saying that I can go with an aftermarket CD player mounted in the dash without any interference with the contour of the factory sheet metal. I haven't taken anything apart to see if I can or not, the only thing I can tell is that the way it is currently mounted, it is plush on top, but at the bottom, you can see about 1/2" of the cage that the CD player sits in. Maybe it was just poor installation and I just need to redo it. One thing that I would have to do, if this is the case, is replace the center dash panel with a radio delete and cut a new opening in the panel since the factory opening is too big. Am I on the right track, or out of my mind???

OK, I just re-read Camaros-n-Chevelles post and think I'm understanding what you're saying. Let me take another shot at this. Cut out around the existing opening, use my cutout as a template for a new piece, weld in the new piece (leaving a solid piece where the radio originally was). Use the template provided by Custom Autosound to trace the new openings for the knobs and display, cut/drill those out, and mount the radio. Am I on the right track now?? If I am, can I use a die grinder or does it have to be a plasma cutter?

Yes, you are on the right track. You are replacing the OE metal with a new piece.

You can use a die grinder or Dremel tool with a router bit, it doesn't matter how you cut it, make straight line, maybe even rig up a fence as in a table saw for straightness, and cut out the section of dash. Use the removed section for the outside dimensions/contour of the new piece to be welded in place. Then use the Autosound template to make the new mounting holes.

The original dash is sloped and the OE radio sat back into the dash. In fact where the front panel mates with the dash, the section of the dash is vertical. They designed the fancy cover plate to elude you from the slope. But nothing in the time era was a standard fit as in DIN fit in today's equipment. Each car, even between models, were different knob spacing and dial openings. It was a royal pain in the a$$ to change radios and make it look nice. Then Craig, a major manf then, started making movable knobs....I digress, sorry.

Do you happen to know off the top of your head what gauge of steel it is?

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Brad theres a whole dash listed here on team camaro http://www.camaros.net/classifieds/showproduct.php?product=17831&cat=8
this would make a super nice repair that all the work is not seen after its installed,,, Frank

Brad, would someting like this solve your problem?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/67-68-Camaro-firebird-center-dash-panel-Black-Pebble_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ140720QQihZ013QQ itemZ230137009662QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

James

Thanks for the lead. I contacted the guy with the dash and asked if he'd be willing to cut out the center portion where the radio is mounted. He said he would, but it would be $75. Does this seem high to you? What are the odds of me finding someone else who had an old dash and would be willing to do it for cheaper? What do you guys think it's worth?

I contacted the guy with the dash and asked if he'd be willing to cut out the center portion where the radio is mounted. He said he would, but it would be $75. Does this seem high to you? What are the odds of me finding someone else who had an old dash and would be willing to do it for cheaper? What do you guys think it's worth?

I think it depends on how quickly you'd like to take care of it. If it were me, I'd pay the $75 and get it done. You can wait and probably find something much cheaper, but.......is it worth $75 to you?:cool:

O.k., I went ahead and bit the bullet. I paid $75 for the part. I figured I could wait and get it cheaper, but my time and energy searching is worth something, right? This will better than trying to re-fabricate the dash because as I looked at the "butcher work" a little further, the previous owner actually cut out the entire bucket area, not just the flat portion. He even cut a section out just above the ash tray (why, I don't know). It will feel good to get this done right and get a factory style radio back in place. My next question to you guys is how much should I cut out. If I just cut out around the bucket area, I might have a hard time welding it square in place. What I was thinking cutting about an inch or so of the ash tray opening to use as a point of reference (plus I need to replace some of this area that what cut out) for squaring the piece up. Luckily the center panel trim will cover up the welding and grinding that will be done. Thoughts?

Brad i myself would have bought the whole dash heck if he will sell the cut for 75 bucks he should let you have it all for that because the rest is no longer anygood,,swapin the whole dash out is much easier of a repair that the route your taken ,, just my opinion Frank

Oh sure... now you tell me... :) Too late, it's already been cut. That's o.k., this will be better than pulling all of the dash components, pulling it, repainting, re-installing, etc. etc. I don't have to worry too much about the finish work because the patch will be covered by the center panel. Plus I would have had to pay considerably more for shipping. The dash was in o.k. shape, but had some noticable issues that I would of had to contend with. I may be preaching a different tune when I'm done, but we live and we learn. Thanks for all of the feedback. I'll keep you guys posted.

If you take it to a reputable audio installation shop they can install a radio and make it look factory, aside from it not being a shaft style radio. I have an aftermarket DIN style radio in my 67 and it looks like a factory install. The pro's can do some amazing things. As long as you don't mind paying a fare amount. You can pay some shmoe and get what you pay for. Take it to a pro.

I believe this would be the PERFECT place to use the panel adhesive, no heat no warping and all covered by the center dash panel.