[costpenn]

So in the resto of my Dad’s 1977 (he bought new ) I’ve come to what to do on the radio. The PHS docs clearly state U58 - AM/FM Stereo radio. Here’s where it gets interesting. I remember Dad telling the salesman he REALLY wants a cassette deck in the car. I then remember sitting in the “middle” back seat when we’d go on a drive and seeing this radio in the dash. I know it is a 78 - it is not technically correct (too tall) , but can it fit in the opening with the bezel.? I’m not sure how Dad did it - it is a late May 77 build - would that make any difference?

[bhill86]

I may have said this in your previous post, I can’t remember, but my take (guess) is they installed an aftermarket cassette player. My theory is, if the 78 and later radios fit, I don’t see why gm would go through the trouble of changing the radio opening in the dash.

I hope someone else can chime in with more definitive information. I wish I had a later radio to test. I have a spare early dash I could try to test fit easily. I do have a spare 70-77 bezel too so if someone has a later radio/cassette player and wants to post dimensions I could measure my spare dash if it would help.

[Maxthe222]

I would still suggest no this isn't likely, unless the dash was cut and modified. I've stacked a 1979 UN3 AM/FM cassette stereo ontop of a 1971 U69 AM stereo I have, and you can quickly see the differences in dimensions and length. The radio holes and openings are different, and the '77 is too wide and short to comfortably fit the facia of the 1978+ stereos. It was likely an aftermarket cassette unit that replaced the earlier dash opening.

[unruhjonny]

I am re-reading this thread;
Since the 1978+ radios will not fit in a 1970-77 dash;
Is it possible that your dad ordered a new dash and the radio that you remember?

I ask, because the only way a Delco in dahs cassette player would fit, was if a 1978+ dash was used.

[78w72]

Unlikely anyone would order a new dash just to fit a later style radio... most likely it was an aftermarket radio that the dealer offered/installed, dealerships did that all the time back then with radios & other parts like their side body trim molding that was riveted on vs the stick on GM trim.

Also not sure how old you were but childhood memories can get distorted after all these years, especially when you didnt know anything about radios or dealer options when buying a new car back then??

I have a motorolla brand cassette radio pulled from a parts car that has a dealer sticker on it saying something about dealer installed/replacement. The factory radios of that time were not very good sounding so people swapped them out all the time when new or didnt even order one at the high prices and installed aftermarket that wasnt very good either at the time but better than the GM offerings.

[unruhjonny]

Originally Posted by 78w72

Unlikely anyone would order a new dash just to fit a later style radio...

I agree 100%;
The OP keeps saying (something to the effect of) that his dad had the car (a '77) with a '78+ radio in it;
I offered that as a possible explanation, as that would be the only way I could see it happening.

Originally Posted by 78w72

... Also not sure how old you were but childhood memories can get distorted after all these years, especially when you didnt know anything about radios or dealer options when buying a new car back then??...

Again, I agree 100%.

[costpenn]

My dad buying that car was one of the most seminal events in my life.
BUT
I could be wrong. I just remember sitting on the trans hump just watching Dad drive for hours and THINK I remember it - the square pushbuttons on either side of the tape door, and that funny outline in black of the cassette on the door itself.

Update as of as I write this! I dug out the original dash and guess what? The cassette deck wont fit. Here's some photos of what it looks like, and as a bonus the three rivet holes used to attach the CB microphone holster thing to the dash