[Slider]

I'm curious as to how rare the reverb option was on a 65 Tempest. I alway thought it was aftermarket or dealer installed on dad's car until I looked through the options catalog posted up above.

[geeteeohguy]

Not really rare, in my experience. I ran across a lot of them in the late '70's and early '80's in junkyard Tempests, LeMans's and GTO's. Cars always had the AM only and the reverb. Never seemed to have AMFM and reverb.

[blubomber]

well they are harder to find these days than back in the 70's but are easily re-buildable I am told. I really like the sound of them. Something a bit different than stereo. Most were junked quickly as new and better radios started proliferating the market in the 70's.
FM radio was not very common in many areas for a long time, especially in the rural and southern regions so you didn't see many AM/FM radios period. The ones you did were mainly on the higher end Bonneville's from urban areas.

I think Reverb was last offered as an option around 1970.

[Andre]

I have an original and complete unit that needs a home if anyone is interested.

[Tom Vaught]

I had a reverb in my 64 GTO convertible.
Don't really know what ever happened to it. Sound was different for sure.
The stuff today is 1000% better.

Tom V.

[bill ryder]

Hi Tom. Glad you brought that up. I was talking to a friend the other day about a conv. reverb unit. There has to be some difference in the rear. Where does the speaker mount??? "Bill"!

[Jeff Hamlin]

This is for '66-'67 but think it's the same for '65

[Tom Vaught]

My reverb box was on the left (Driver's side) of the trunk vs the picture in Jeff's post.
It mounted exactly the same way with the holes drilled thru the package tray and the fasteners going thru the side "ears" on the box. The convertible top pump was in the normal location.

The speaker box was made the same way as Jeff's Picture except the enclosure was located on the left side of the trunk. It fastened to the seat back the same way and was hard to see when the canvas top "pocket" rested on top of it.

Hope this helps Bill. Zazarine, may he rest in peace, says the option was never on the car in the Roberts/Zazerine book. It was on my car as was the Reverb switch under the lip of the dash.

Tom V.

That being said, my car was a Brass Hat car and could have had it added or a special deal pulled when the car was built.

[Option 382]

I know for the 1965 model year, Reverb/Rear Speaker was not available as a factory option build on the Convertible.

[60sstuff]

Originally Posted by Option 382

I know for the 1965 model year, Reverb/Rear Speaker was not available as a factory option build on the Convertible.

Also noted in Eric White Book (page 18) - No rear seat speaker or reverb on a 1965 Convertible.

Although Eric's book shows a Verbra-Phonic Rear Seat Speaker / Amplifier for a 1964 year?

It's a little confusing as to what year "Convertible" you could, or could not get these options?

[Tom Vaught]

Originally Posted by 60sstuff

Although Eric's book shows a Verbra-Phonic Rear Seat Speaker / Amplifier for a 1964 year?

Probably the typical Coupe/Hardtop speaker install.

There is so much stuff on my car that has been 'different' be it the Jack Sticker placement, the mechanical linkage, the non power brakes, the 3.90 rear gear, and correct trands speedo gear, the lack of the 5N on the data plate and the list goes on and on.

I know of 2 other KC vehicles with that deal though.

Tom V.

[Jeff Hamlin]

I was not aware of the none use in '65 Drop Tops.
I'll note that.
Thanks

[Tom Vaught]

Originally Posted by Jeff Hamlin

I was not aware of the none use in '65 Drop Tops.
I'll note that. Thanks

Or 1964 drop tops either, apparently.

Tom V.

[BOB VIDAN]

I have installation instructions and the pictures with it that I can make copies of if anyone needs them.

[60sstuff]

Zazarine Resto Guide also speaks of it on #453 (neither rear speaker option was available with convertible models), 64/65.

Be nice to see additional information, such as an old parts book breakdown.

[johnta1]

This is from a 65 service bulletin:
(for Pontiac but the blurb below pic is interesting I think)

[Option 382]

I wonder if the service bulletin is referring to dealer installed or over the counter owner installed reverb.

An original 1965 Accessories catalog I have states the convertibles could not receive this option from the factory.

[John V.]

Tom may have forgotten, but his KC convertible was equipped with the Verbra-Phonic rear seat speaker from the factory as confirmed by the 5 Group Code 2V on his Data Plate.

Since the decode of the '64 KC Manifests depends on my own research, you'll have to take my word for it that it is also coded on his Manifest record.

The '64 Order Form (the revision that still exists anyway) says that the Verbra-Phonic was Not Available for the Safari or Convertible.

The Dec 21, 1963 revision of the Inspector's Guide also shows the Verbra-Phonic as Not Available for the Convertible model (Lemans or Tempest Custom).

But in my view, the 5 Group coding on Tom's GTO (late March built) proves that either the Verbra-Phonic had become available for the convertible by that time or at the very least, a Pontiac exec was able to pull strings to get it on his GTO.

Eric White's book shows the Sales Code 474 Verbra-Phonic Not Available for the '64 or '65 Convertible (Body Style 67).

But that would only reflect what was shown on the Price Sheets or Order Forms depending on where Eric gathered his info from.

Doesn't prove that you couldn't get it.

Of course, I'm not aware of any other '64 or '65 A Body Convertible that is documented with the Verbra-Phonic option so it may very well have been that the PMD exec that got it on Tom's GTO pulled some strings to have it dutifully installed by Fisher Body and coded on the Data Plate and any attempt by a regular customer to order it may have resulted in rejection.

I believe that Service Bulletin pertains to factory installations.

The Verbra-Phonic was available for '65 big car convertibles according to the Order Form, only prohibited on the Safari.

[Tom Vaught]

Thank You, AGAIN, John, for that reminder. I did forget (that you had told me the code for that Option).

My car is a screwed up mess of options that could not be had in 1964, parts on the sheet that were not there (Power Brakes), and of course and everyone else knows about the lack of the 5N on the Data Plate. But the Mechanical Linkage deal is the coolest part of the whole car. Terry's car was a 4 BBL car so his Mechanical Linkage deal obviously was a later on added deal. I do not believe there ever was any other 64 GTO with that Linkage installed by Pontiac. But I wait for other cars to appear as I have located at least 6 sets of the original linkage parts, I know of one set of service parts that came from Pontiac (as I opened the never opened box) with the parts in it.

You have been so much help for me, John, on my Convertible, Thanks So Much, John.

Tom V.

[Tom Vaught]

Originally Posted by BOB VIDAN

I have installation instructions and the pictures with it that I can make copies of if anyone needs them.

I would like to have a set of the install instructions if possible Bob. PM me for shipping address.

Tom V.