Radio Delete Block-Off Plate
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 106
From: laingsburg MI
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Radio Delete Block-Off Plate
Looking for a radio delete plate for my 73. Who has made one & can u post pics. Also, any interest in making additional one(s)? thanx
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
I don't believe there was one as a radio had to be specifically ordered or you got a dash without a hole for the radio.....it was not until the 77 or 78 was a radio standard equipment and included in the base price. I know that was the procedure for 63`s and I would think the same custom was used
but someone could be making some however not OE
I was wrong, there are some plates both OE and aftermarket for the 68- but on the 63, I am correct....
....
but someone could be making some however not OE
I was wrong, there are some plates both OE and aftermarket for the 68- but on the 63, I am correct....
....
Last edited by Ironcross; Apr 27, 2011 at 06:37 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,684
Likes: 3,137
From: Shamong, NJ
I don't believe there was one as a radio had to be specifically ordered or you got a dash without a hole for the radio.....it was not until the 77 or 78 was a radio standard equipment and included in the base price. I know that was the procedure for 63`s and I would think the same custom was used
but someone could be making some however not OE
but someone could be making some however not OE
The 68-76 block off plate is repro-ed (see rcread's Corvette Central link, though Paragon is the actual maker of these), the 77-82 plate is not available.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,202
Likes: 10
From: cincinnati ohio
St. Jude Donor '09
I made one about a hundred years ago 
...
Welded on the ends and 1/4" studs to mount through radio shaft holes....sprayed it with rattle can truck bed liner for a close to perfect match to the bezels original texture
...Welded on the ends and 1/4" studs to mount through radio shaft holes....sprayed it with rattle can truck bed liner for a close to perfect match to the bezels original texture
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,684
Likes: 3,137
From: Shamong, NJ
Think about it. Just how many can they sell? How many people want a car without a radio? Even if every L-88 has survived, and they were all missing the block off plate, that's still only 200 potential buyers. How many owners beyond those with an L-88 will ever want or need a radio block off plate?
I think it's being cast off of the original GM molds, so there probably wasn't much in the way of development costs. Still, they had to acquire the molds, pay the GM licensing and royalty fees, and then they have the cost of producing it (casting, chrome and paint). In the end, how many pieces can they potentially sell?
When you consider that most (US made) repro emblems cost between 40 and 80 dollars, and their production costs can be spread over thousands of pieces, I don't think the price is to bad a part that will probably never sell 500 of.
Wow, that looks really nice. Very well done!
I think it's being cast off of the original GM molds, so there probably wasn't much in the way of development costs. Still, they had to acquire the molds, pay the GM licensing and royalty fees, and then they have the cost of producing it (casting, chrome and paint). In the end, how many pieces can they potentially sell?
When you consider that most (US made) repro emblems cost between 40 and 80 dollars, and their production costs can be spread over thousands of pieces, I don't think the price is to bad a part that will probably never sell 500 of.
Wow, that looks really nice. Very well done!
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Pro
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 507
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From: Seattle WA
LOVE IT!
Instructor
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 185
Likes: 2
I think it's being cast off of the original GM molds, so there probably wasn't much in the way of development costs. Still, they had to acquire the molds, pay the GM licensing and royalty fees, and then they have the cost of producing it (casting, chrome and paint). In the end, how many pieces can they potentially sell?
The new ones are not even the correct mold. There are a number of differences bewteen the two and to someone who has seen both styles you can tell while standing outside the car if its a repro or an original. The down side of that is if you have a $200,000.00 + car your not going to even buy this plate, you'll spend the big bucks on an original.
Either way I agree, $165 for these repro plates is a very fair price.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 106
From: laingsburg MI
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Agree with you guys on your comments. My case, no heater, no radio, tilt-front end, etc. May not even use a console, just have carpet fit for the area. Using a hurst super competition shifter with lock out handle that did not fit the console well. It may now, as I modified the bracket a bunch, but I need to purchase a console to check the fit!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,959
Likes: 3,354
From: NYC NY
Very nice job! For a "race car" theme Corvette I think your's looks better than the "repo". You might want to think about building them upon request. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
$165 really isn't bad. Last time I was browsing feeBay for interesting Corvette items I ran across a guy trying to get $650 for one of these.
Can't find the '77 & up one shown in the AIM at any price.
Can't find the '77 & up one shown in the AIM at any price.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,200
Likes: 3
From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania
My budget did not allow $165 + shipping for that piece of plastic. So I welded one from a scrap piece of aluminum diamond plate, painted black.
With sidepipes bellowing and a magneto whining, who can listen to a radio anyway? My Ipod Touch and a set of headphones works for me if I feel the need for music.
With sidepipes bellowing and a magneto whining, who can listen to a radio anyway? My Ipod Touch and a set of headphones works for me if I feel the need for music.