1963 Catalina Safari Speaker Upgrade(s)
 

Hello Again! I’m looking to add a Redi-rad system to my safari and was thinking about replacing the dash speaker and adding a few in back. I recall seeing a bonneville safari with a speaker added in the spare tire area and that caught my attention. what size are the existing speaker(s)? Has anyone added speakers to their station wagon and how did you do it? thought i’d do it before installing new carpet and sound deadening. thanks!


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My 66 Catalina 9 passenger wagon had a speaker in the right rear wheel well. It was a factory 10 Ohm speaker. I can't remember the size for sure. I seem to think it was a 6X9, not the typical 4X10 used in the front. It had a speaker control switch under the dash pad right next to the power rear window switch. It had a formed metal speaker grille over it on the curved part of the right wheel well in front of the removable cover which housed the spare tire and jack. Not sure how a 63 would differ. BTW, you will love the Redi Rad. I have 3 of them and the newest one is 3-4 years old. They work great.

I can't help you with the rear speakers, but as far as the dash speaker goes, you can go one of a couple different ways. I used one of the DVC 4x10's that has separation for left and right channels. The other option is to buy the adapter plate that allows the mounting of 2 3.5" speakers of your choice in the stock location. I will say that after using it for a while I regret the purchase of the 4x10 I have as it is definitely better than a stock speaker, but the clarity and crispness of the tweeters just isn't as good as I would expect, and the 4x10 doesnt out out noticable bass that I feel would be lost by some better 3.5's.

Does not look factory to me but here’s a ‘63 Bonneville Safari with rear speaker. Don’t think you could put one on the other side due to the gas tank.

I built some temporary speaker boxes for the 6x9's in the back of my 66 Catalina wagon, but also exploring any ideas on the drivers side speaker placement. I can't see a way to do it without interfering with the gas tank.

I had the hard parts of my 63 Bonne wagon reupholstered and you can see the indent on the drivers side rear cover. It looks like a 6x9 hole, but I don't know for sure.

James Q

Here’s the inside of that panel from my Safari. I would guess that there was an optional courtesy lamp with a switch that would go there, not a speaker.


Added a pic from a very ratty Bonneville wagon…….

Also remember that “stereo” radios were a ways off in ‘63 so only one front and one rear speaker was required just to spread the sound around.
BTW, my Safari is a radio delete car so I don’t have any speakers!

I knew the courtesy light mounted in that location, but the indention in the sheet metal looks like a speaker could be mounted there. However wiring it up might be difficult.

James Q

Upon consulting the 1963 Body Manual, the rear speaker is mounted on the cover in front of the spare cover, see attached pic.

I am attaching a pic of the courtesy light mounted on the other side as well.

Aren't factory manuals wonderful?

James Q

Interesting. I’ve never noticed that on the DS of my car, but mine is also a 66 so I’m sure things may have been different by then.