[costpenn]

Originally Posted by 78w72

I dont know for sure what the UPC UP8 means for 78 but the chart I showed is pretty clear its for dual rear speakers in 1978. maybe the UP8 RAD PROVI STE means provisions for stereo radios which would be dual rear speakers &/or the wiring for a stereo radio? If there wasnt dual rear speakers in 78, how did they do the stereo left/right separation for stereo radios that were available, left to the rear speaker & right to the front? Doesnt make much sense to do that with a stereo signal IMO.

Im almost positive my old 78 WS6 W72 TA I bought in the late 80's from the 2nd owner, who was my close friend that bought it from the original owner when I was there, and it was a lower mile mostly original car that had dual rear speakers with the factory metal grilles & package tray... but that was a long time ago. Have also seen lots of 78's with dual rear speakers... not saying they couldnt have been added after the sale with dealer sold factory parts but most Ive seen have them.

Also there is a hole on the right side rear deck metal for a 2nd speaker even in older pre 78 cars so its very easy to add a 2nd rear 6x9 speaker for a stereo radio... & lets face it, the factory radios in these cars were terrible, I have a factory stereo cassette & dual rear speakers in my current 78, cant stand to listen to it, sounds like a old transistor radio!

Amen, I remember Dad a couple of years after he bought the car getting a Pioneer Super Tuner and Jensen Triax speakers put in it. I remember listening to Styx The Grand Illusion on it right after he installed it That and the exhaust, tires and water pump and radiator were the only things ever touched on that car until he sold it.

[costpenn]

Originally Posted by Maxthe222

Hey again Joe,

Glad you're back ontop of this super unique T/A, and to answer all of your questions:

1. Not possible to get for a 1977. From factory, the radio hole in the dash was a completely different shape, it became shorter and fatter in 1978, and your PHS identifies the factory issued stereo was a U58 AM/FM Stereo, sometimes called the Red Dot Stereo (pictured below). The 1977 UN8 23 Channel CB was connected to this stereo, and is not compatible with the 1978+ style stereos.

cdn4.volusion.store/klmat-yytxn/v/vspfiles/photos/DAS-2522F-2.jpg?v-cache=1477632079

2. Single, dual rear speakers from factory wasn't a think until 1979. A good example is the 14-mile '77 SE that sold at auction, peep the rear parcel tray: gmauthority.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/1977-Pontiac-Trans-Am-SE-interior-003-Mecum-Auctions-Starlight-Black-door-panel-seats-console-back-seat.jpg

3. As the CB was hooked up to the stereo and was completely buried in the dash, I wanna say through the rear speaker? I still have one UN8 23-channel CB, don't see how audio can come out of it.

4. I had a complete, original entire set up from a 1977 T/A that was scrapped, and sold everything (including that original special console bracket in your pic) and the original antenna and harness to a collector in the US. I can ask if he still has it, he didn't actually have a UN8 '77 from what I remember.

Hello Max! Thank you for your extensive complete answers. I'm on it just about full time now with a goal of unveiling it at the 2025 MCACN show in Chicago.

If you could reach out to him to see if he still might have that antenna it would be great! Are you 12 hours off USA time where you are?

[costpenn]

Originally Posted by DanC

My all original 1978 Espirt has the AM/FM/Stereo 8 Track combo with one center dash speaker and one LH (driver side) rear deck speaker. It also has the smooth "cardboard" shelf panel with one metal speaker grille.

I attached a couple pics with measurements that may help for size. I also added a pic of the 1978 Service Manual showing the radio/stereo wiring which shows one front and one rear speaker for stereo applications as "factory". Of course a dealer or individual could have done anything!

Thank you for your help. Do you know what determined whether a solid or mesh type package tray was used?

[burd]

I think I still have 1 GM Cb manual left, the one that would come in your glovebox paperwork

[bhill86]

Originally Posted by 78w72

I dont know for sure what the UPC UP8 means for 78 but the chart I showed is pretty clear its for dual rear speakers in 1978. maybe the UP8 RAD PROVI STE means provisions for stereo radios which would be dual rear speakers &/or the wiring for a stereo radio? If there wasnt dual rear speakers in 78, how did they do the stereo left/right separation for stereo radios that were available, left to the rear speaker & right to the front? Doesnt make much sense to do that with a stereo signal IMO.

Im almost positive my old 78 WS6 W72 TA I bought in the late 80's from the 2nd owner, who was my close friend that bought it from the original owner when I was there, and it was a lower mile mostly original car that had dual rear speakers with the factory metal grilles & package tray... but that was a long time ago. Have also seen lots of 78's with dual rear speakers... not saying they couldnt have been added after the sale with dealer sold factory parts but most Ive seen have them.

Also there is a hole on the right side rear deck metal for a 2nd speaker even in older pre 78 cars so its very easy to add a 2nd rear 6x9 speaker for a stereo radio... & lets face it, the factory radios in these cars were terrible, I have a factory stereo cassette & dual rear speakers in my current 78, cant stand to listen to it, sounds like a old transistor radio!

That is actually how they did stereo separation 70-77. With one front and one rear.

[78w72]

Originally Posted by bhill86

That is actually how they did stereo separation 70-77. With one front and one rear.

70-77? Do early pre 77 birds have stereo radio options? When did stereo radios become available in these cars?

[bhill86]

I believe 70 had stereo but the oldest I know for sure is 72 based on the 72 manual I have.

[Yellow Bird]

BURD, maybe erase some of your private messages so that I can communicate with you...

[DanC]

Originally Posted by costpenn

Thank you for your help. Do you know what determined whether a solid or mesh type package tray was used?

I don't know how that was determined. Just luck of the draw I'm thinking.

Being an Esprit, mine has the "custom interior" in the optional vinyl, cloth was primary. It also has the cloth headliner, and as far as I know there was no choice in the three different types of those either!

[Warren Seale]

Originally Posted by 78w72

I dont know for sure what the UPC UP8 means for 78 but the chart I showed is pretty clear its for dual rear speakers in 1978. maybe the UP8 RAD PROVI STE means provisions for stereo radios which would be dual rear speakers &/or the wiring for a stereo radio? If there wasnt dual rear speakers in 78, how did they do the stereo left/right separation for stereo radios that were available, left to the rear speaker & right to the front? Doesnt make much sense to do that with a stereo signal IMO.

There is only a left/right balance adjustment on the radio, but in these cars, this meant front to back.

If there are two rear speakers then the front and one rear speaker was the left channel and the other rear speaker is the right channel.

Maybe the two rear speakers were just being phased in during the 78 production? But as an original owner, I'm pretty sure 79 was when the two rear speakers began.

[burd]

If you have the 2 speakers in the back, the Jack won’t Stowe, only 1 in the rear on 78’s.

[unruhjonny]

Question: Wasn't the 1971(?) factory optional cassette player available as an over the counter (parts department) option during the 1977 model year?