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Hey guys looking for a better sound from my ‘72. Already has an old school looking radio with Bluetooth but it sounds like there’s maybe two speakers. Not looking for anything too crazy just a more acceptable/modern sound. Are any of the kits with rear speakers worth it from the typical corvette vendors?
Within a week of C3 ownership, I took my '77 to an automotive stereo business. Installed was a new Pioneer radio w/ CD player, two new dash speakers.
Tech guy said he could make me a wood box for rear speakers for extra $100.
Over the years on this forum, I have seen some pretty elaborate rear speaker boxes. Some were painted, some were carpeted in matching interior color.
Some had a large woofer, some had C3 emblems glued on. Some had plastic grill protection.
But they all had one thing in common. They sat right on the floor of the rear storage.
I have learned to never leave home w/o your T-Tops. Even if there is not a cloud in the sky. Murphy's Law states: it will pour when your tops are at home.
So, a commercial style rear box is out of the question.
I would think that a guy with basic woodworking skills could make a custom fit unit out of premium plywood. And still allow the T-Tops to slide under neath it.
I would put the tops in the back, get a big piece of cardboard for a template and start drawing with a Sharpie. Get some nice fabric, cut some holes and go at it.
The unit needs to straddle the wheel tubs, mount up high, fit snug and be attractive.
From: Some days your the dog and some days your the hydrant.
Royal Canadian Navy
They're secured pretty good and aren't going anywhere. I keep an eye out for any fraying of the strap. None so far after 34 years of use by me. What worries me more is the tops taking flight when they are installed.
Is that a Retrosound? I put one of their Hermosa units in my car and it crapped out after about 3000 miles but because it was over a year old neither Retrosound or Crutchfield would even consider any kind of compensation. Needless to say I'm a bit miffed at both of them. Not wanting to dump another $350 into Custom Autosound, or a modern head unit (don't like the looks) I looked pretty hard for alternatives. Since I only used the Hermosa for music from my phone via Bluetooth I stumbled across this $30 power amplifier on Amazon. Here is a link: tinyurl.com/mnjttd2x It also has and AUX input if you don't like Bluetooth.
It's a bit minimalistic yes and I had to fab a mounting plate for it but man does it sound good! It drives my four 3 ohm JBL speakers with ease. It does not have balance or fade control but in the small cockpit of the Vette I don't really miss that. For $30 and no mods to the console you can't go wrong.
Left one of the units, not even connected up, in the dash for looks.
Ah, thanks you just gave me an idea. I still have my original radio, including with 8 track. Non functional of course but if I can clean it up enough and get it back into the dash I can hide that little amp somewhere and have the best of both worlds.
2025 C2 of the Year ('64-'66) Finalist - Unmodified
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2023 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Its not as cheap now as it was 20 years ago, but I purchased the STEEL version of the aftermarket dash bezel that allows a single din radio to fit and look like it is factory
And I put in a Pioneer flip screen with carplay and Bluetooth audio
also have (2) 6x9 speaker boxes and amplifier in the back, sounds good going down the highway speed with tops off and windows down
My installation sits approximately where the t-top tray was. And I can still get the tops in the back. It's all iPod music so that is where the volume control lives. The front speakers are part of the package so I have four total. Wish I could figure out where to put a subwoofer. There are some nice compact units available.
Reasonable audio upgrades?
What worries me more is the tops taking flight when they are installed.
