Topic: How rare is an in dash 8-track in a 66 Convertable

[wcs1993]

Hello everyone. I am new to the site and hoping someone can answer this question. I bought a 66 "A" code 4speed Convertible from the original owner approx. 8 months ago. The car has an in dash 8-track deck made by Motorola, I have checked the code and is correct to the car. The owner said it has been in the car since new. How rare is it for a 66 to have the in dash player?

[C5ZZKGT]

That 8 track Stereosonic player is actually quite a rare option which not too many people ordered on their '66s.
My understanding is that the dash cut-out for the units is bigger than a standard am radio and the ULTRA-RARE am/fm monotone radio.
Does the unit work? if not if it were me I'd have it repaired/restored may be replace the speakers and enjoy as is or may be get am fm converter to hide somewhere-should sound pretty good that way.

[wcs1993]

It is a working unit, not installed in the car because the original owner wanted to be able to listen to tapes. You are correct the opening is bigger and has a face plate that is the same style as the dash and glove box.  The owner made a plastic plate to fill the hole for the am/fm cassette player.  He did not cut or change or damage in anyway the opening. 

[wcs1993]

That 8 track Stereosonic player is actually quite a rare option which not too many people ordered on their '66s.
My understanding is that the dash cut-out for the units is bigger than a standard am radio and the ULTRA-RARE am/fm monotone radio.
Does the unit work? if not if it were me I'd have it repaired/restored may be replace the speakers and enjoy as is or may be get am fm converter to hide somewhere-should sound pretty good that way.

Thank you for the response.

[C5ZZKGT]

You are most welcome!! Welcome to the Concours Mustang site!!

[gjz30075]

Here's a pic of the factory opening.   

[J_Speegle]

Of course rare  often equals unpopular

No stats are available but would guess that there was a higher percentage (of total production of that body type) in convertibles than in other body types. But of course since they made way more coupes, by volume, there would have been more (total) in coupes

[Mitch70769]

My 66 deluxe coupe has the same thing, I plan to have it restored and working.  When I first bought the car I thought someone butchered the dash but it was not the case

[wcs1993]

Of course rare  often equals unpopular

No stats are available but would guess that there was a higher percentage (of total production of that body type) in convertibles than in other body types. But of course since they made way more coupes, by volume, there would have been more (total) in coupes

Works for me...unpopular back then means rare today 

[C5ZZKGT]

WOW!!  I would have guessed that someone had butchered the dash as well.
I have to wonder how Ford cut the dash for the unit? the standard holes for the am radios look stamped to me, but this looks cut....wonder if it was an after thought? are the 8 tracks used in other Ford cars of the 60s?

[C5ZZKGT]

I just found this one on Ebay-it even has the USS logo on the bottom much like the ones we see on the tops of gas tanks-neat! http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1966-Mustang-AM-Radio-w-8-Track-Tape-Player-See-Video-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem3a64dc47fcQQitemZ250800261116QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories

[CharlesTurner]

That's cool!

[5F09CNot4Sale]

That is cool, I just hope this does not start a tend where everyone is now stamping (stenciling) their radios! 

[C5ZZKGT]

I hope not as well!! I actually removed the stencil from the bottom of my gas tank and have not re-installed it on the top of the tank because it seems such a waste to be covered and no one sees it.
I do think the Ebay unit is cool-the USS logo looks to be original to me....

[MattDoscher]

The seller even has a video of him tuning the radio and you can hear it.  Sounds like it's in good working order.