My 69 has a modern stereo cut into the instrument panel at the stock radio location. The guy that had the car before me did this and it's something I've always wanted to get rid of and go back to the stock look (Custom AutoSound type). Anyone have good way to go back to the stock mounting format from the carrier type used in the modern stereo once the panel has been cut, without replacing the whole panel (big pain and expensive)?

Thanks
Bob

First, disconnect your battery and protect anything that can be burned by your activity with welding cloth. The best thing to do is neatly cut out the radio opening with a plasma cutter. Bring that piece with you and purchase a piece of scrap sheetmetal in the same gauge 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, finish with some hammering and dollying 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 in his 67. I am assuming that the 69 also had a metal structure behind the plastic dash. It is time consuming, but the only way to repair it the right way. Hope this helps.

Well, the 69 does not have any metal behind the plastic dash, so no welding is involved unless the PO cut the lower supports :D Sometimes you can repair the damaged plastic (if small) with JB weld, but if the whole radio hole is missing, then a replacement is the only way to go, sorry :(

I have a somewhat related question and hope its not stupid. I don't mean to get this thread off track but does anyone know if any radios from other cars of this period fit in a 68 camaro. I don't have one and would like to put one in for looks basically. I dont really care if it works but want it to look period correct. If I go to a salvage yard are there other cars I could look for.

I have a somewhat related question and hope its not stupid. I don't mean to get this thread off track but does anyone know if any radios from other cars of this period fit in a 68 camaro. I don't have one and would like to put one in for looks basically. I dont really care if it works but want it to look period correct. If I go to a salvage yard are there other cars I could look for.

I think their mounting makes the stock ones unique,at least for 67,68 .You can put an aftermarket shaft radio in with the custom faceplate.Custom Autosound IIRC makes one for that shaft spacing. I just bought a Retrosound unit.They are pretty slick.I put an amp in the trunk and it sounds ok.I don't know what an original goes for nowadys..I kept mine in case I sell the car.An original will probably be cheaper than anything else.

Thanks Kevin.
Thats what I figured. Thats not what I wanted to hear. I was hoping for a long list of compatable ones.
Thanks again.

I was thinking I might be able to take the rosewood covers (made of thin metal and with the radio holes) and create a reinforcement plate behind them to use in recreating the stock mounting where it's been cut out. Then bond it back in the dash with the stock-type radio..... kind of a science project tho

Short of this...maybe I go with a repop radio delete plate and locate a SecretAudio type head in the glove box... at least I get an original look in the dash back.

Thanks
Bob